Hypolipidemic activity and safety evaluation of a rhamnan-type sulfated polysaccharide-chromium (III) complex

Structural analysis and bioavailability study of low-molecular-weight chondroitin sulfate‑iron complexes prepared by photocatalysis-Fenton reaction

Increasing studies focus on depolymerization of chondroitin sulfate (CS) to enhance its biological activities. In the present study, low-molecular-weight chondroitin sulfate (LMWCS)‑iron complexes were obtained by photocatalysis-Fenton reaction. After degradation with the optimal condition of 0.25 % (w/v) TiO2, 10 mM FeSO4, and 400 mM H2O2 for 0, 15, and 60 min, the average relative molecular weights of CS were reduced to 4.77, 2.47, and 1.21 kDa, respectively. Electron paramagnetic resonance and free radical capture test identified •OH, •O2-, and h+ in the photocatalysis-Fenton system, among them h+ was the major contributor for CS degradation. The structures of degradation products were analyzed by UV, CD, XRD, SEM-EDS, and NMR, and the results indicated that CS chelated iron with its carboxyl and sulfate groups, leading to changes in conformation and microtopography. Then 10 oligosaccharides were identified in the degradation products using HPLC-MSn and the depolymerization mechanism was proposed. Furthermore, iron release was observed in simulated gastrointestinal digestion of LMWCS‑iron complexes. Notably, the everted gut sac experiment demonstrated that LMWCS‑iron complex possessed 3.75 times higher iron absorption than FeSO4 (p < 0.01) and 12.60 times higher CS absorption than original CS (p < 0.0001). In addition, LMWCS‑iron exhibited stronger in vitro antioxidant activity than CS.

Structural characterisation and anti-colon cancer activity of an arabinogalactan RSA-1 from Raphani semen

RSA-1 is a polysaccharide obtained from Raphani semen with a relatively clear structure and anti-colon cancer activity. In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were applied to characterise the complex chain structure of RSA-1. Subsequently, the inhibitory effect on colon cancer growth through apoptosis induction in colon cancer cells was explored. The findings indicate that the main chain of RSA-1 consists of →3)-β-D-Galp-(1 → and 3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1 → substituted at C-6 with branched α-L-Araf side chains. RSA-1 disrupts the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and thus inhibits the viability of colon cancer cells in vitro. Furthermore, it inhibits colon cancer migration by attenuating epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Notably, RSA-1 exhibited negligible impact on the growth of human intestinal epithelial cells within a relevant concentration range. This study establishes a theoretical foundation and provides technical support for the prospective development and application of RSA-1 as a dual-purpose anti-colon cancer drug and functional food.

Holothuria Leucospilota polysaccharides alleviate hyperlipidemia via alteration of lipid metabolism and inflammation-related gene expression

Hyperlipemia is becoming a chronic disease that threatens human health. At the same time, people pay more and more attention to hyperlipemia. Holothuria Leucospilota polysaccharide (HLP) has been reported to ameliorate hyperlipidemia in high-fat diet-induced rats. Therefore, this study aimed to explore further metabolomics' role in improving liver function and reveal its mechanism. After oral administration of HLP for 4 weeks, total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) levels of the liver in 100 and 200 mg/kg HLP groups were both decreased significantly (p < .05). The results showed that serum AST and ALT activity decreased by professing to be convinced of HLP. HLP also exerted antioxidant activities and up-regulated the expression of ACC, CD36, TNF-α and NF-κB in the liver of diabetic rats. Six potential biomarkers were recognized by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and OPLS-DA. HLP alleviated liver injury by regulating the contents of metabolic end products in the serum of hyperlipidemic rats, such as nadolol and glycodeoxycholic acid. The results indicated that HLP effectively relieved HFD-induced hyperlipidemia by regulating metabolic disorders. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: As a chronic disease, hyperlipidemia has attracted more and more attention. Studies have shown that HLP regulates dyslipidemia, oxidative damage and inflammation to relieve hyperlipidemia. It mainly improved the liver damage caused by hyperlipidemia by inhibiting the expression of hepatic lipogenesis, oxidative stress and inflammatory factors. At the same time, we also detected six metabolites, among which high GDCA content indicated serious liver damage. Therefore, in the future, it can be suggested that HLP may be used as a functional, active substance in health products to assist in relieving hyperlipidemia, and GDCA may be used as an essential metabolic marker for the degree of liver injury.

Algal polysaccharides and derivatives as potential therapeutics for obesity and related metabolic diseases

The potential and challenges of algal polysaccharides and their derivatives as potential therapeutic agents for obesity and its related metabolic diseases.