Enzymatic extraction optimization, anti-HBV and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai

Enzymatic synthesis of N-succinyl-L-phenylalanine and exploration of its potential as a novel taste enhancer

N-succinyl-L-phenylalanine (SP) has been identified as a taste-active contributor in an array of foods. Despite its recognized importance, the understanding of its synthesis and taste enhancement properties remains rudimentary. The study examined the enzymatic synthesis of SP with 45.58 ± 1.95% yield. This was achieved under optimized conditions: 0.3 mol/L L-phenylalanine, 0.9 mol/L succinic acid, 30,000 U/L of the AY 50C, pH 4 and 55 °C for 24 h. Sensory evaluation and electronic tongue revealed that the incorporation of a mere 1 mg/L SP substantially increased the kokumi, umami, and saltiness intensities, indicating the potential of SP as a potent taste enhancer. Moreover, time-intensity (TI) results demonstrated a significant increase of umami duration in samples containing 1 mg/L of SP (210.0 ± 0 s), a significant extension compared to the control group (150.0 ± 0 s). Notably, the intensity of umami and saltiness in the SP sample were consistently higher than that of control group. The sigmoid curve analysis further confirmed that SP exhibited a synergistic effect on umami and saltiness perceptions. Moreover, the study also illuminated interaction of SP with T1R1, T1R3, TMC4, TRPV1, and CaSR receptors, resulting in significant enhancement in umami, saltiness, and kokumi.

A novel ultrasound-assisted enzyme extraction method of total flavonoids from Viticis Fructus and processed Viticis Fructus: Comparison of in vitro antioxidant activity

In this study, it is the first that the Viticis Fructus (VF) was used as the raw material for extracting total flavonoids using the ultrasound-assisted enzyme extraction (UAE) method. Response surface methodology was employed to determine the optimal extraction parameters. The optimal conditions were as follows: 60 % ethanol solution as the extract solvent, material-liquid ratio of 1:25, pH value of 4, enzyme addition amount of 1.5 %, enzymatic hydrolysis time of 30 min, enzymatic hydrolysis temperature of 40 ℃, and ultrasonic time of 50 min. Comparing the total flavonoid yield of VF and processed VF (PVF) extracted using different methods, it was observed that UAE resulted in a higher total flavonoid yield compared to traditional ultrasound extraction and enzyme extraction. Additionally, the total flavonoid yield of PVF extracted by all three methods was generally higher than that of VF. The PVF solution extracted by UAE also demonstrated better in vitro antioxidant activity compared to VF. These results suggest that UAE is an effective method to enhance the activity of natural total flavonoids. The study of the physicochemical properties and in vitro antioxidant activity of VF and PVF showed that the total flavonoid yield and antioxidant activity significantly increased after VF stir-frying, indicating that their efficacy can also be enhanced.

Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) polysaccharides: Extraction efficiency, antioxidant activity, and structure features

This study investigated the effect of ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction (UAEE) on the extraction efficiency, antioxidant activity, and structural properties of jujube polysaccharide (JPS), with hot water extraction (HWE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and enzymatic-assisted extraction (EAE) serving as controls. Optimal extraction conditions were determined through a multi-index weighted scoring method that comprehensively accounted for yield, duration, and antioxidant activity. Results demonstrated that the JPS yield obtained by UAEE at 22/33 kHz was 10.5 % to 16.3 % higher than those achieved by the other methods, significantly enhancing antioxidant activity. Monosaccharide composition analysis revealed that UAEE increased the content of key mono-sugars in JPS. Additionally, assessments of molecular weight distribution, zeta potential, and rheological properties showed that UAEE reduced the molecular weight and apparent viscosity of JPS, resulting in a looser structural configuration. These structural modifications were observed in scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, which revealed a filamentous branched morphology in JPS obtained through UAEE. Further observations using the atomic force microscope (AFM) indicated that the polysaccharide chains extracted by UAEE were shorter in length, lower in height, and free from aggregation.

Extraction, purification, structural characteristics, and pharmacological activities of the polysaccharides from corn silk: A review

Corn silk is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine possessing multiple beneficial effects, whose active ingredient is corn silk polysaccharide (CSP). CSP is abundant in corn silk, and has a variety of bioactivities, such as antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatorenal-protective, antitumor, anti-fatigue, immunomodulating, and anti-ischemia-reperfusion injury effects. Moreover, CSP ameliorates diabetes, diabetes nephropathy, and hyperlipidemia. This review aimed to comprehensively and systematically summarize recent information on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, biological activity, potential mechanism, and toxicity of CSP. Thus, it could provide a reference for the further use of CSP and discuss the future prospects of CSP research and development.

Farnesoid X receptor: From Structure to Function and Its Pharmacology in Liver Fibrosis

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, plays a crucial role in regulating bile acid metabolism within the enterohepatic circulation. Beyond its involvement in metabolic disorders and immune imbalances affecting various tissues, FXR is implicated in microbiota modulation, gut-to-brain communication, and liver disease. The liver, as a pivotal metabolic and detoxification organ, is susceptible to damage from factors such as alcohol, viruses, drugs, and high-fat diets. Chronic or recurrent liver injury can culminate in liver fibrosis, which, if left untreated, may progress to cirrhosis and even liver cancer, posing significant health risks. However, therapeutic options for liver fibrosis remain limited in terms of FDA-approved drugs. Recent insights into the structure of FXR, coupled with animal and clinical investigations, have shed light on its potential pharmacological role in hepatic fibrosis. Progress has been achieved in both fundamental research and clinical applications. This review critically examines recent advancements in FXR research, highlighting challenges and potential mechanisms underlying its role in liver fibrosis treatment.

Advance in Morchella sp. polysaccharides: Isolation, structural characterization and structure-activity relationship: A review

Morchella sp. is a kind of precious medicinal and edible fungus with a unique flavor and is rich in various amino acids and organic germanium needed by the human body. Most notably, Morchella sp. polysaccharides have attracted widespread attention due to their significant bioactivity in recent years. At present, extensive studies have been carried out on the extraction methods, structural characterization and activity evaluation of Morchella sp. polysaccharides, which provides a good theoretical basis for its further development and application. However, the systematic summary of the related research of Morchella sp. polysaccharides has not been reported yet. Therefore, this review mainly focused on the isolation and purification methods, structural characterization, biological activities and structure-activity relationship of Morchella sp. polysaccharides. This work will help to have a better in-depth understanding of Morchella sp. polysaccharides and provide a scientific basis and direct reference for more scientific and rational applications.

The extraction and anti-inflammatory screening of Onosma glomeratum Y. L. Liu

"Zicao" has a long medicinal history and has a variety of pharmacological activities. As the main resource of "zicao" in Tibet, Onosma glomeratum Y. L. Liu (tuan hua dian zi cao), usually used for treating pneumonia in Tibet, has not been reported deeply. In order to determine the main anti-inflammatory active ingredients of Onosma glomeratum Y. L. Liu, in this study, the extracts enriched in naphthoquinones and polysaccharides were optimized prepared form Onosma glomeratum Y. L. Liu by ultrasonic extraction, and reflux extraction, respectively, with Box-Behnken design effect surface method. And their anti-inflammatory abilities were screened on LPS induced A549 cells model, for figuring out the anti-inflammatory active ingredients from Onosma glomeratum Y. L. Liu.The extract enriched naphthoquinone was obtained under following condition: extract with 85% ethanol in a liquid to material ratio of 1:40 g/mL at 30 °C for 30 minutes using ultrasound, leading to the extraction rate of total naphthoquinone as 0.98 ± 0.017%; the extract enriched polysaccharides was prepared as follows: extract 82 minutes at 100 °C with distilled water in a liquid to material ratio of 1:50 g/mL, with extraction rate of polysaccharide as 7.07 ± 0.02%.On the LPS-induced A549 cell model, the polysaccharide extract from Onosma glomeratum Y. L. Liu showed better anti-inflammatory effects than the naphthoquinone extract, indicating the extract enriched in polysaccharides is the anti-inflammatory extract of Onosma glomeratum Y. L. Liu, which could serve as a potential anti-inflammatory extract in medical and food industries in the future.

Chemical Modification, Characterization, and Activity Changes of Land Plant Polysaccharides: A Review

Plant polysaccharides are widely found in nature and have a variety of biological activities, including immunomodulatory, antioxidative, and antitumoral. Due to their low toxicity and easy absorption, they are widely used in the health food and pharmaceutical industries. However, low activity hinders the wide application. Chemical modification is an important method to improve plant polysaccharides' physical and chemical properties. Through chemical modification, the antioxidant and immunomodulatory abilities of polysaccharides were significantly improved. Some polysaccharides with poor water solubility also significantly improved their water solubility after modification. Chemical modification of plant polysaccharides has become an important research direction. Research on the modification of plant polysaccharides is currently increasing, but a review of the various modification studies is absent. This paper reviews the research progress of chemical modification (sulfation, phosphorylation, acetylation, selenization, and carboxymethylation modification) of land plant polysaccharides (excluding marine plant polysaccharides and fungi plant polysaccharides) during the period of January 2012-June 2022, including the preparation, characterization, and biological activity of modified polysaccharides. This study will provide a basis for the deep application of land plant polysaccharides in food, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals.

The long and stumble way to find potential active compounds from plants for defeating hepatitis B and C: review

Hepatitis is a liver illness caused by virus such as hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis B and C are considerably more usual and induce more cirrhosis and dead worldwide than hepatitis A. Although drugs that are currently often used in the medication of hepatitis B and C, the finding of recent drug from various resources including herbal has been intensively developed. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to consider the possibility of plant’s compounds as anti-HBV and anti-HCV. From the results of a review of several articles, several plant’s compound have shown effectiveness againts HBV and HCV by in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies. In conclusion, several plant’s active compounds are possibility to be developed as anti-hepatitis B and C.

Promising Role of Emodin as Therapeutics to Against Viral Infections

Emodin is an anthraquinone derivative that is widely present in natural plants and has a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and anticancer and so on. Through reviewing studies on antiviral effect of emodin in the past decades, we found that emodin exhibits ability of inhibiting the infection and replication of more than 10 viruses in vitro and in vivo, including herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), coxsackievirus B (CVB), hepatitis B virus (HBV), influenza A virus (IAV), SARS-CoV, viral haemorrhagic septicaemia rhabdovirus (VHSV), enterovirus 71 (EV71), dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) and Zika virus (ZIKV). Therefore, this review aims to summarize the antiviral effect of emodin, in order to provide reference and hopes to support the further investigations.

Application of Enzyme-Assisted Extraction for the Recovery of Natural Bioactive Compounds for Nutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Applications

Enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) involves the use of hydrolytic enzymes for the degradation of the cell wall or other cell components. This supports the diffusion of the solvent into the plant or fungal material, leading to easier elution of its metabolites. This technique has been gaining increasing attention, as it is considered an eco-friendly and cost-effective improvement on classical or modern extraction methods. Its promising application in improving the recovery of different classes of bioactive metabolites (e.g., polyphenols, carotenoids, polysaccharides, proteins, components of essential oil, and terpenes) has been reported by many scientific papers. This review summarises information on the theoretical aspects of EAE (e.g., the components of the cell walls and the types of enzymes used) and the most recent discoveries in the effective involvement of enzyme-assisted extraction of natural products (plants, mushrooms, and animals) for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.

Optimization of the composite enzyme extraction of polysaccharide from Erythronium sibiricum bulb and its immunoregulatory activities

An efficient compound enzyme extraction process was developed and optimized to extract the polysaccharide from Erythronium sibiricum bulb via response surface methodology. The polysaccharide E2P was obtained. Then, the preliminary characteristics of E2P were determined via colorimetry and chromatography. Additionally, the immunoregulatory activities of E2P and another polysaccharide (ESBP, extracted using the hot water method) were compared. The optimized extraction results were as follows: temperature (54.56 °C), time (2.52 h), pH (6.53), and enzyme concentration ratio (0.5% cellulase:1.5% amylase). The yield (64.18% ± 2.91%) obtained under the aforementioned conditions was considerably higher than the yield of ESBP (37.25% ± 0.17%). The total sugar, uronic acid, starch, and protein contents of E2P were 81.77% ± 2.84%, 3.31% ± 0.45%, 3.29% ± 0.01%, and 0.24% ± 0.02%, respectively. The HPLC result suggested that the predominant monosaccharides of E2P included glucose, galactose, and arabinose, with a molar ratio of 543.2:1:1.8. The in vitro tests in RAW264.7 cells indicated that ESBP exhibited better immunomodulatory activities than E2P. In particular, ESBP can promote the proliferation, phagocytosis, and cytokine secretion abilities of cytokines, such as nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β of RAW264.6 cells. By contrast, E2P can only promote phagocytosis ability and the secretion of IL-1β.

Exploring the resources of the genus Viscum for potential therapeutic applications

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Viscum comprises approximately 100 species that are mainly distributed across Africa, Asia and Europe. The extracts and preparations of Viscum species are widely used as common complementary and alternative medicines in the treatment of rheumatism and cancer.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to explore the medicinal properties of twelve species belonging to the genus Viscum for potential therapeutic applications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We collected online information (including PubMed, CNKI, Google Scholar, and Web of Science) from January 1915 to April 2021 and knowledge from classical books on Chinese herbal medicines available for 12 species of the genus Viscum, including Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai, Viscum album L., Viscum articulatum Burm. f., Viscum liquidambaricola Hayata, Viscum ovalifolium DC., Viscum capitellatum Sm., Viscum cruciatum Sieber ex Boiss., Viscum nudum Danser, Viscum angulatum B.Heyne ex DC., Viscum tuberculatum A.Rich., Viscum multinerve Hayata, and Viscum diospyrosicola Hayata.

RESULTS

At least 250 different compounds have been reported across twelve Viscum species, including amino acid and peptides, alkaloids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, lipids, and other types of compounds. In particular, for Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai and Viscum album L., the plants, preparations, and bioactive components have been thoroughly reviewed. This has allowed to elucidate the role of active components, including lectins, viscotoxins, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides, in multiple bioactivities, such as anti-cancer, anti-rheumatism arthralgia, anti-inflammation, anti-cardiovascular diseases, enhancing immunity, and anti-chemotherapy side effects. We also evaluated quality control methods based on active compounds, in vivo exposure compounds, and discriminated chemical markers.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report to systematically review the pharmaceutical development history, chemical composition, clinical evidence, pharmacological activity, discriminated chemical markers, in vivo exposure, and quality control on twelve distinct species of Viscum plants with medicinal properties. The significant safety and efficacy, along with the minor side effects are constantly confirmed in clinics. The genus Viscum is thus an important medicinal resource that is worth exploring and developing in future pharmacological and chemical studies.

Polysaccharides from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg: optimum extraction, monosaccharide compositions, and antioxidant activity

The optimization of extraction of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg polysaccharides (THP) using ultrasonic with enzyme method and its monosaccharide compositions and antioxidant activity were investigated in this work. Single-factor experiments and response surface methodology (RSM) were performed to optimize conditions for extraction, and the independent variables were (X_A) dosage of cellulase, (X_B) extraction time, (X_C) ultrasonic power, and (X_D) ratio of water to the material. The extraction rate of THP was increased effectively under the optimum conditions, and the maximum (4.692 ± 0.059%) was well-matched the predicted value from RSM. THP was consisted of mannose, glucuronic acid, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, and arabinose, while glucose was the dominant (26.749 ± 0.634%). According to the total antioxidant capacity assay with the FRAP method, DPPH, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, THP showed strong antioxidant activity with a dose-dependent behavior. The results indicated that THP has the potential to be a novel antioxidant and could expand its application in food and medicine.

Preparation, characterization and wound healing effect of alginate/chitosan microcapsules loaded with polysaccharides from Nostoc Commune Vaucher

Biologically active coating materials could promote the growth of granulation tissue as auxiliary materials, while natural polysaccharides could promote vascular regeneration and wound healing. Therefore, in this study, ultrasound-assisted extract of Nostoc commune Vaucher polysaccharides (UAP) yield after the process optimization was 12.89 ± 0.24%, which was used to prepare microcapsules by emulsification and cross-linking. The effect of alginate/chitosan-UAP composite materials on wound healing in an experimental rat model for 14 d and its physical properties were evaluated. In vitro experiments indicated that the UAP microcapsule material had a porous and loose three-dimensional network structure, and had good biocompatibility and swelling properties as a wound healing material. Animal experiments indicated that UAP microcapsules could extremely significantly promote wound healing (P < 0.01), and wound closure rate reached 79.16 ± 3.91% on 14th day. Meanwhile UAP microcapsules might promote angiogenesis and granulation growth by enhancing immunity and increasing the expression of VEGF and miR-21. Therefore, the composites of UAP microcapsules have shown encouraging results as a potential dressing for wound healing.

Optimization of Bioprocess Extraction of Poria cocos Polysaccharide (PCP) with Aspergillus niger β-Glucanase and the Evaluation of PCP Antioxidant Property

Poria cocos mushroom is widely used as a food and an herb in East Asian and other countries due to its high nutritional value. Research has demonstrated that Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCP) are the major bioactives and possess antioxidation, anti-inflammation, immunoregulation, and other health promoting properties. However, the efficient preparation of PCP has been a challenge, particularly in large scale for industry. Herein, we investigated the biotransformation of PCP from Poria cocos, catalyzed by β-glucanase from Aspergillus niger and focused on optimizing the most four influencing parameters: Temperature, time, pH, and enzyme dosage in this study. After numerous optimizations with the assistance of response surface optimization methodology, we have established that the optimal conditions for the biotransformation PCP preparation were as following: Enzymolysis temperature 60 °C, time 120 min, pH 5.0 and enzyme dose 20 mL. Under these conditions, the extraction yield of PCP reached as high as 12.8%. In addition, the antioxidant activities of PCP were evaluated by reducing power assay and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals scavenging assays. Resulting data showed that PCP presented outstanding antioxidant capacity. Thus, these findings indicate that PCP could be produced as a natural antioxidant for further development.

Optimization of ultrasonic extraction of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides using response surface methodology

Ultrasonic extraction was a new development method to achieve high-efficiency extraction of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides instead of hot water extraction. In this paper, the single factor method combined with the box Behnken design of response surface method was used to study the influence of extraction time, extraction temperature, material liquid ratio and ultrasonic power on the extraction rate of L. barbarum polysaccharide. The results indicated that the best extraction rate of L. barbarum polysaccharide was 12.54 ± 0.12% under the conditions of 80 min for extraction time, 73 °C for extraction temperature, 1 g:38 mL for material to liquid ratio, and 185 W for ultrasonic power. Under the same operating conditions, the yield of L. barbarum polysaccharide using ultrasonic extraction was 83.3%, which was higher than that hot water extraction. Moreover, the extraction time of ultrasonic extraction was only 47% of that using hot water extraction. This suggested that there was great potentials of using ultrasonic extraction in the realization of high-efficiency extraction of L. barbarum polysaccharide. The results of this study could also provide a theoretical basis for the coupling of ultrasonic extraction and ultrasonic concentration process to develop the integrated equipment of both ultrasonic extraction and ultrasonic concentration.

Aqueous enzymatic extraction of rosmarinic acid from Salvia officinalis: optimisation using response surface methodology

INTRODUCTION

Rosmarinic acid is a bioactive compound with various pharmaceutical effects and applications.

OBJECTIVE

This work developed a new approach for aqueous enzymatic extraction of rosmarinic acid from the leaves of Salvia officinalis.

METHODS

Different enzymes (proteases and cellulase) were evaluated for their extraction activity. Response surface methodology (RSM) was subsequently employed to optimise the extraction conditions. Thin layer chromatography was also used to identify rosmarinic acid in the extract of S. officinalis.

RESULTS

Among the tested enzymes, a Cellulase A and Protamex mixture (1:1, w/w) exhibited maximum effectiveness in the extraction. Through the use of RSM, the maximum rosmarinic acid content of 28.23 ± 0.41 mg/g was obtained with enzyme loading of 4.49%, water-to-sample ratio of 25.76 mL/g, temperature of 54.3°C, and extraction time of 2 h.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that S. officinalis is a promising source of rosmarinic acid and aqueous enzymatic extraction is an efficient and ecofriendly method for extracting rosmarinic acid, with a short extraction time and without the contamination of a toxic solvent.

Extraction Optimization of Galla Turcica Polysaccharides and Determination of Its Antioxidant Activities In Vitro

Though natural polysaccharides commonly show antioxidant activities, the current research on the isolation of polysaccharides from Galla Turcica and their antioxidant activities still remain as an ongoing challenge. In this work, response surface analysis was employed to optimize an ultrasonic-assisted extraction method for polysaccharides of Galla Turcica. Their antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities were then evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), total antioxidant activity, and iron ion reduction assays. Moreover, the protective effects of polysaccharides of Galla Turcica were determined on human embryonic kidney fibroblast 293 and hepatoma 7721 cells by cell proliferation assay. Overall, the key parameters of Galla Turcica polysaccharides extraction were optimized as crushing degree 100 mesh, ultrasonic time 50 min, and materials–liquid ratio 1:50. The isolated polysaccharides presented dose-dependent antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects in vitro. It also demonstrated an effective protective effect for human cells under oxidative damage. The results firstly determined the antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Galla Turcica, thus providing a new natural resource for future investigation and development of the polysaccharides-based antioxidant drugs, health products, or additives.

Beyond Enzyme Production: Solid State Fermentation (SSF) as an Alternative Approach to Produce Antioxidant Polysaccharides

Solid state fermentation (SSF) is a sustainable process that uses low amounts of water and transforms plant-based agro-industrial residues into valuable products such as enzymes, biofuels, nanoparticles and other bioactive compounds. Many fungal species can be used in SSF because of their low requirements of water, O2 and light. During SSF, plant-based wastes rich in soluble and insoluble fiber are utilized by lignocellulolytic fungi that have enzymes such as lignases, celullases or hemicelullases that break fiber hard structure. During the hydrolysis of lignin, some phenolic compounds are released but fungi also synthetize bioactive compounds such as mycophenolic acid, dicerandrol C, phenylacetates, anthraquinones, benzofurans and alkenyl phenols that have health beneficial effects such as antitumoral, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiviral activities. Another important group of compounds synthetized by fungi during SSF are polysaccharides that also have important health promoting properties. Polysaccharides have antioxidant, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activities as well as prebiotic effects. Fungal SSF has also proved to be a process which can release high contents of phenolics and it also increases the bioactivity of these compounds.