Prospects of Poria cocos polysaccharides: Isolation process, structural features and bioactivities

Advances in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus by natural plant polysaccharides through regulation of gut microbiota and metabolism: A review

The prevalence and impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health problem. The treatment process of T2DM is long and difficult to cure. Therefore, it is necessary to explore alternative or complementary methods to deal with the various challenges brought by T2DM. Natural plant polysaccharides (NPPs) have certain potential in the treatment of T2DM. However, many studies have not considered the relationship between the structure of NPPs and their anti-T2DM activity. This paper reviews the relevant anti-T2DM mechanisms of NPPs, including modulation of insulin action, promotion of glucose metabolism and modulation of postprandial glucose levels, anti-inflammation and modulation of gut microbiota (GM) and metabolism. This paper provides an in-depth study of the conformational relationships of NPPs and facilitates the development of anti-T2DM drugs or dietary supplements with NPPs.

Green synthesis of Poria cocos polysaccharides-silver nanoparticles and their applications in food packaging

To reduce pollution caused by traditional plastic packaging and preparation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), this work aims to develop biological macromolecular packaging films with green synthesized AgNPs. In this study, a novel P. cocos polysaccharide (PCP) with a unique monosaccharide composition was extracted from Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf. Then, this polysaccharide containing 24.68 % rhamnose was used as a stabilizer for the green synthesis of PCP-AgNPs for the first time. PCP-AgNPs exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and S. aureus, with the highest antibacterial activity against E. coli (inhibition zone diameter = 11.14 ± 0.79 mm). Subsequently, PCP-AgNPs/chitosan (CS) film was successfully prepared by incorporating PCP-AgNPs into the CS film solution. Several experiments demonstrated that the addition of this nanomaterial promoted the formation of noncovalent interactions between CS and PCP-AgNPs, resulting in a more regular and denser film. Compared to the CS film and control group, the PCP-AgNPs/CS film significantly maintained the quality indexes of strawberries. Therefore, this composite film successfully extended the shelf life of strawberries. Regarding safety, these packaging films were not cytotoxic toward RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, the environmentally friendly PCP-AgNPs/CS film has the potential to replace some traditional food packaging materials.

Effect of Poria cocos Terpenes: Verifying Modes of Action Using Molecular Docking, Drug-Induced Transcriptomes, and Diffusion Network Analyses

We characterized the therapeutic biological modes of action of several terpenes in Poria cocos F.A Wolf (PC) and proposed a broad therapeutic mode of action for PC. Molecular docking and drug-induced transcriptome analysis were performed to confirm the pharmacological mechanism of PC terpene, and a new analysis method, namely diffusion network analysis, was proposed to verify the mechanism of action against Alzheimer's disease. We confirmed that the compound that exists only in PC has a unique mechanism through statistical-based docking analysis. Also, docking and transcriptomic analysis results could reflect results in clinical practice when used complementarily. The detailed pharmacological mechanism of PC was confirmed by constructing and analyzing the Alzheimer's disease diffusion network, and the antioxidant activity based on microglial cells was verified. In this study, we used two bioinformatics approaches to reveal PC's broad mode of action while also using diffusion networks to identify its detailed pharmacological mechanisms of action. The results of this study provide evidence that future pharmacological mechanism analysis should simultaneously consider complementary docking and transcriptomics and suggest diffusion network analysis, a new method to derive pharmacological mechanisms based on natural complex compounds.

Structural characterization and immunomodulatory activity of a water-soluble polysaccharide from Poria cocos

In order to investigate the structural characteristics and immunomodulatory effects of Poria cocos polysaccharides, a water-soluble homogeneous polysaccharide (PCP-2) was isolated by water extraction and alcohol precipitation and further purified by Cellulose DEAE-52 and Sephacryl S-100HR column chromatography. PCP-2 is a heteropolysaccharide composed of glucose, galactose, mannose, and fucose in a molar ratio of 42.0: 35.0: 13.9: 9.1. It exhibits a narrow molecular weight distribution at 2.35 kDa with a branching degree of 37.1 %. The main chain types of PCP-2 include 1,3-β-D-Glc and 1,6-β-D-Glc as the backbone glucans and 1,6-α-D-Gal as the backbone heterogalactan. In vitro experiments demonstrate that PCP-2 directly stimulate RAW264.7 cell proliferation and secretion of inflammatory factors such as NO and TNF-α. In cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced mice, it promotes the development of thymus and spleen immune organs, elevates the blood levels of IgG, IgA, IgM and CD3+CD4+ T cells, increases the intestinal villus height/ crypt depth ratio and improves gut barrier dysfunctions. These findings suggest that PCP-2 is a natural fungal polysaccharide with broad spectrum of immunoenhancing effects, which can significantly ameliorate the immunocompromised state.

Identification of squalene epoxidase in triterpenes biosynthesis in Poria cocos by molecular docking and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing

BACKGROUND

Squalene epoxidase is one of the rate-limiting enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway of membrane sterols and triterpenoids. The enzyme catalyzes the formation of oxidized squalene, which is a common precursor of sterols and triterpenoids.

RESULT

In this study, the squalene epoxidase gene (PcSE) was evaluated in Poria cocos. Molecular docking between PcSE and squalene was performed and the active amino acids were identified. The sgRNA were designed based on the active site residues. The effect on triterpene synthesis in P. cocos was consistent with the results from ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadruplex time-of-flight-double mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) analysis. The results showed that deletion of PcSE inhibited triterpene synthesis. In vivo verification of PcSE function was performed using a PEG-mediated protoplast transformation approach.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this study provide a foundation for further studies on heterologous biosynthesis of P. cocos secondary metabolites.

The extraction, structure characterization and hydrogel construction of a water-insoluble β-glucan from Poria cocos

Most reported polysaccharides from Poria cocos (PCPs) in traditional Chinese medicine decoctions were water-soluble heteropolysaccharides while the water-insoluble PCPs were scarcely researched due to the poor water-solubility. In this study, a water-insoluble polysaccharide with high yield of 59%, and high purity with a glucan content of 98.8%, was isolated by diluted sodium hydroxide at low temperature and coded as PCPA. The chemical structure of PCPA was identified as a liner β-glucan with 1, 3-linked glycosidic bond by the fourier infrared spectrum (FT-IR), ion chromatography (ICP), gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. Importantly, PCPA was successfully used to construct hydrogels (PCPA-Gs) with good thermal stability, water retention ability and swelling property through simple physical cross-linking, due to the abundance of hydroxyl groups on glucan chains. Moreover, the rheology analysis of PCPA-Gs showed a rapid transition between gel and sol as well as the shear-thinning property. The hydrogel developed in this study holds promise for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic fields.

Efficacy of Poria Cocos Extract on Sleep Quality Enhancement: A Clinical Perspective with Implications for Functional Foods

BACKGROUND

Since the outbreak of the pandemic started, an increase in the number of sleep disorders, including insomnia and poor sleep quality, has been seen. The pattern will probably continue.

METHODS

This study focuses on the preparation and clinical testing of Poria cocos extract in treating suboptimal sleep quality. The optimal extraction method utilized a 75% ethanol concentration, and the clinical investigation involved subjects with defined poor sleep taking 800 mg of the extract nightly, assessed using the Sleep Questionnaire and polysomnography. The non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for statistical analysis due to the non-normal distribution of the collected data.

RESULTS

The study involved 21 insomnia sufferers with a mean age of 55 who were administered Poria cocos extracts. The findings of the study indicate a statistically significant rise in the overall duration of sleep (from 327.395 ± 43.2 min to 356.516 ± 63.21 min, p = 0.014). Additionally, there was a notable decrease in the level of arousal during sleep (from 76.316 ± 44.78 min to 47.989 ± 42.38 min, p = 0.009), and an improvement in the sleep severity index of the sleep questionnaire test.

CONCLUSIONS

Poria cocos as a natural substance could improve quality of sleep, based on the findings. The study investigates Pachymic acid, a substance found in Poria cocos, as a potential indicator for the development of sleeping aids.

Bioactive polysaccharides from lotus as potent food supplements: a review of their preparation, structures, biological features and application prospects

Lotus is a famous plant of the food and medicine continuum for millennia, which possesses unique nutritional and medicinal values. Polysaccharides are the main bioactive component of lotus and have been widely used as health nutritional supplements and therapeutic agents. However, the industrial production and application of lotus polysaccharides (LPs) are hindered by the lack of a deeper understanding of the structure-activity relationship (SAR), structural modification, applications, and safety of LPs. This review comprehensively comments on the extraction and purification methods and structural characteristics of LPs. The SARs, bioactivities, and mechanisms involved are further evaluated. The potential application and safety issues of LPs are discussed. This review provides valuable updated information and inspires deeper insights for the large scale development and application of LPs.

Effect of Poria cocos Mushroom Polysaccharides (PCPs) on the Quality and DNA Methylation of Cryopreserved Shanghai White Pig Spermatozoa

In this study, we explore the effects of Poria cocos mushroom polysaccharides (PCPs) on the quality and DNA methylation of the cryopreserved spermatozoa of Shanghai white pigs. A total of 24 ejaculates (three ejaculate samples per boar) from eight Shanghai white pigs were manually collected. The pooled semen was diluted with a based extender supplemented with different concentrations of PCPs (0, 300, 600, 900, 1200, and 1500 μg/mL). Once thawed, the quality of the spermatozoa and their antioxidant function were assessed. In the meantime, the effect of spermatozoa DNA methylation was also analyzed. The results show that compared with the control group, 600 μg/mL of PCPs significantly improves the spermatozoa viability (p < 0.05). The motility and plasma membrane integrity of the frozen-thawed spermatozoa are significantly higher after treatment with 600, 900, and 1200 μg/mL of PCPs compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In comparison with the control group, the percentages of acrosome integrity and mitochondrial activity are significantly enhanced after the application of 600 and 900 μg/mL PCPs (p < 0.05). The reactive oxygen species (ROS), the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, in comparison with the control group, are significantly decreased in all groups with PCPs (all p < 0.05). The enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in spermatozoa is significantly higher in the treatment with 600 μg/mL of PCPs than in the other groups (p < 0.05). As compared with the control group, a significant increase in the catalase (CAT) level is found in the groups with PCPs at 300, 600, 900, and 1200 μg/mL (all p < 0.05). In comparison with the control group, the 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) levels are significantly decreased in all groups with PCPs (all p < 0.05). As a result of these findings, a certain amount of PCPs (600-900 μg/mL) added to the cryodiluent can significantly improve the quality of Shanghai white pig spermatozoa and can also reduce the methylation of spermatozoa DNA caused by cryopreservation. This treatment strategy may establish a foundation for the cryopreservation of semen from pigs.

Acid-induced Poria cocos alkali-soluble polysaccharide hydrogel: Gelation behaviour, characteristics, and potential application in drug delivery

Poria cocos alkali-soluble polysaccharide (PCAP), a water-insoluble β-glucan, is the main component of the total dried sclerotia of Poria cocos. However, its gelation behaviour and properties have yet to be comprehensively studied. In this study, an acid-induced physical hydrogel based on natural PCAP is fabricated. The acid-induced gelation in PCAP is explored with respect to the pH and polysaccharide concentration. PCAP hydrogels are formed in the pH range of 0.3-10.5, and the lowest gelation concentration is 0.4 wt%. Furthermore, dynamic rheological, fluorescence, and cyclic voltammetry measurements are performed to elucidate the gelation mechanism. The results reveal that hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions play a dominant role in gel formation. Subsequently, the properties of the PCAP hydrogels are investigated using rheological measurements, scanning electron microscopy, gravimetric analysis, free radical scavenging, MTT assays, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The PCAP hydrogels exhibit a porous network structure and cytocompatibility, in addition to good viscoelastic, thixotropic, water-holding, swelling, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Furthermore, using rhein as a model drug for encapsulation, it is demonstrated that its cumulative release behaviour from the PCAP hydrogel is pH dependent. These results indicate the potential of PCAP hydrogels for application in biological medicine and drug delivery.

Lemon gum: Non-toxic arabinogalactan isolated from Citrus × latifolia with antiproliferative property against human prostate adenocarcinoma cells

Lemon gum (LG) obtained from Citrus × latifolia in Brazil was isolated and characterized. In addition, gum biocompatibility was evaluated in vitro and in vivo by Galleria mellonella and mice model. The cytotoxicity against tumor cells was also evaluated. The ratio of arabinose:galactose: rhamnose:4-OMe-glucuronic acid was 1:0.65:0.06:0.15. Small traces of protein were detected, emphasizing the isolate purity. Molar mass was 8.08 × 10⁵ g/mol, with three different degradation events. LG showed antiproliferative activity against human prostate adenocarcinoma cancer cells, with percentage superior to 50 %. In vivo toxicity models demonstrated that LG is biocompatible polymer, with little difference in the parameters compared to control group. These results demonstrate advance in the study of LG composition and toxicity, indicating a potential for several biomedical and biotechnological future applications.

Multiple approaches to characterize and visualize the chemical composition of Sijunzi Decoction comprehensively

Sijunzi Decoction is composed of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodes Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Poria, and Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle, and it is a classic formula for treating spleen deficiency syndrome in Chinese medicine. Clarifying the active substances is an effective way to develop Traditional Chinese medicine and innovative medicines. Carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and inorganic elements in the decoction were analyzed by multiple approaches. A molecular network was also used for visualizing the ingredients in Sijunzi Decoction, and representative components were also quantified. The detected components accounted for 74.544% of the Sijunzi Decoction freeze-dried powder, including 41.751% crude polysaccharides, 17.826% sugars (degree of polymerization 1-2), 8.181% total saponins, 2.427% insoluble precipitates, 2.154% free amino acids, 1.177% total flavonoids, 0.546% total phenolic acids, and 0.483% inorganic elements. Molecular network and quantitative analysis used to characterize the chemical composition of Sijunzi Decoction. The present study systematically characterized the constituents of Sijunzi Decoction, revealed the composition ratio of each type of constituent, and provided a reference for study on the substance basis of other Chinese medicine.

Optimization of Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction Conditions for Bioactive Components and Antioxidant Activity of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf by an RSM-ANN-GA Hybrid Approach

In this study, a response surface methodology and an artificial neural network coupled with a genetic algorithm (RSM-ANN-GA) was used to predict and estimate the optimized ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions of Poria cocos. The ingredient yield and antioxidant potential were determined with different independent variables of ethanol concentration (X₁; 25-75%), extraction time (X₂; 30-50 min), and extraction solution volume (mL) (X₃; 20-60 mL). The optimal conditions were predicted by the RSM-ANN-GA model to be 55.53% ethanol concentration for 48.64 min in 60.00 mL solvent for four triterpenoid acids, and 40.49% ethanol concentration for 30.25 min in 20.00 mL solvent for antioxidant activity and total polysaccharide and phenolic contents. The evaluation of the two modeling strategies showed that RSM-ANN-GA provided better predictability and greater accuracy than the response surface methodology for ultrasonic-assisted extraction of P. cocos. These findings provided guidance on efficient extraction of P. cocos and a feasible analysis/modeling optimization process for the extraction of natural products.

Poria cocos oligosaccharides ameliorate dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis mice by regulating gut microbiota dysbiosis

Poria cocos, a widely accepted function food in China, has multiple pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect and molecular mechanism of Poria cocos oligosaccharides (PCOs) against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse colitis. In this study, BALB/c mice were treated with 3% (w/v) DSS for seven days to establish a colitis model. The results showed that oral administration of PCOs (200 mg per kg per day) significantly reversed the changes in the physiological indices in colitis mice, including body weight, disease activity index scores (DAI), spleen index, and colon length. From the qRT-PCR assay, it was observed that PCOs suppressed the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as Tnf-α, Il-1β, and Il-6. In addition, PCOs protected the intestinal barrier from damage by promoting the expression of mucins and tight junction proteins at both mRNA and protein levels. Upon 16S rDNA sequencing, it was observed that PCO treatment partly reversed the changes in the gut microbiota of colitis mice by selectively regulating the abundance of specific bacteria. And Odoribacter, Muribaculum, Desulfovibrio, Oscillibacter, Escherichia-Shigella, and Turicibacter might be the critical bacteria in improving colitis via PCOs. Finally, using antibiotic mixtures to destroy the intestinal bacteria, we documented that PCO fermentation broth (PCO FB) instead of PCOs prevented the occurrence of colitis in gut microbiota-depleted mice. In conclusion, PCOs showed a protective effect on colitis by reversing gut microbiota dysbiosis. Our study sheds light on the potential application of PCOs as a prebiotic for treating colitis.

Therapeutic potential of non-starch polysaccharides on type 2 diabetes: from hypoglycemic mechanism to clinical trials

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) have been reported to exert therapeutic potential on managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Various mechanisms have been proposed; however, several studies have not considered the correlations between the anti-T2DM activity of NSPs and their molecular structure. Moreover, the current understanding of the role of NSPs in T2DM treatment is mainly based on in vitro and in vivo data, and more human clinical trials are required to verify the actual efficacy in treating T2DM. The related anti-T2DM mechanisms of NSPs, including regulating insulin action, promoting glucose metabolism and regulating postprandial blood glucose level, anti-inflammatory and regulating gut microbiota (GM), are reviewed. The structure-function relationships are summarized, and the relationships between NSPs structure and anti-T2DM activity from clinical trials are highlighted. The development of anti-T2DM medication or dietary supplements of NSPs could be promoted with an in-depth understanding of the multiple regulatory effects in the treatment/intervention of T2DM.

Genome editing in the edible fungus Poria cocos using CRISPR-Cas9 system integrating genome-wide off-target prediction and detection

Poria cocos is an important edible and medicinal fungus with a long history. However, the lack of adequate genetic tools has hindered molecular genetic research and the genetic modification of this species. In this study, the endogenous U6 promoters were identified by mining data from the P. cocos genome, and the promoter sequence was used to construct a sgRNA expression vector pFC332-PcU6. Then, the protoplast isolation protocol was developed, and the sgRNA-Cas9 vector was successfully transformed into the cells of P. cocos via PEG/CaCl2-mediated transformation approach. Off-target sites were genome-widely predicted and detected. As a result, the target marker gene ura3 was successfully disrupted by the CRISPR-Cas9 system. This is the first report of genome editing in P. cocos using CRISPR-Cas9 system integrating genome-wide off-target prediction and detection. These data will open up new avenues for the investigation of genetic breeding and commercial production of edible and medicinal fungus.

Bioactive polysaccharides and their potential health benefits in reducing the risks of atherosclerosis: A review

Atherosclerosis is a kind of lipid-driven chronic inflammatory disease of arteries and is the principal pathological basis of life-threatening cardiovascular disease events, such as strokes and heart attacks. Clinically, statins are the most commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis, but prolonged use of these drugs exhibit many adverse reactions and have limited efficacy. Polysaccharides are important natural biomacromolecules widely existing in plants, animals, microorganisms and algae. They have drawn considerable attention worldwide due to their multiple healthy functions, along with their non-toxic property. Importantly, a growing number of studies have demonstrated that bioactive polysaccharides exhibit prominent efficiency in controlling atherosclerotic risk factors like hyperlipemia, hypertension, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In recent decades, various bioactive polysaccharides with different structural features and anti-atherosclerotic potential from natural sources have been isolated, purified, and characterized. The aim of this review is to focus on the research progress of natural polysaccharides in reducing the risks of atherosclerosis based on evidence of in vitro and in vivo studies from 1966 to 2022. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In the future, it is still necessary to strengthen the research on the development and mechanism of polysaccharides with anti-atherosclerotic potential. These anti-atherosclerotic polysaccharides with different structural characteristics and physiochemical properties from different sources will constitute a huge source of materials for future applications, especially in functional foods and drugs. The information summarized here may serve as useful reference materials for further investigation, production, and application of these polysaccharides in functional foods and therapeutic agents.

Effect of steam explosion pretreatment on polysaccharide isolated from Poria cocos: Structure and immunostimulatory activity

This study aimed to examine the effects of steam explosion (SE) pretreatment on the structural characteristics and immunostimulatory activity of polysaccharide from Poria cocos. Results showed that the average molecular weights of native polysaccharide (PCP) and SE-pretreated polysaccharide (SEPCP) were 18.67 and 6.52 kDa, respectively. PCP and SEPCP shared the same profiles of monosaccharides (mannose, glucose, galactose, and fucose) in different composition ratios, that is, PCP in a molar percentage of 13.5:33:40.3:13.2 and SEPCP in a molar percentage of 2.1:90.3:5.8:1.8. The surface structure of PCP showed smooth and densely spherical particles, whereas SEPCP had a rough surface and porous honeycomb structure. The main linkage types of PCP comprised 1,6-α-d-Galp, 1,2,6-α-d-Glcp, and T-α-d-Manp, whereas SEPCP primarily contained 1,3-β-d-Glcp backbone and T-β-d-Glcp branches. Compared with PCP, we further revealed that SEPCP had a better immune enhancement on the phagocytic ability, NO production, and the secretion levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells. Collectively, our observations supported that SE pretreatment could help to change the structure and improve the immunostimulatory activity of polysaccharide from P. cocos. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: SE technology is extensively used to extract bioactive components with improved yields owing to this technology's benefits of low energy consumption and high efficiency. SE pretreatment was found to contribute to the destruction of cell-wall structure, which could help to enhance the extraction yields of P. cocos polysaccharide (PCP). Meanwhile, SE pretreatment also could change the structural features and improve the immunostimulatory activity of PCP. This study revealed that more bioactive PCP with strengthened immunoregulatory effect was obtained pretreated by SE. This study was able to provide the effective information on the application of steam explosion technology to promote the further development and utilization of PCP in the pharmaceutical and functional food fields.

Structure and physicochemical properties of polysaccharides from Poria cocos extracted by deep eutectic solvent

Poria cocos, a famous traditional Chinese medicine and a well-known food or food supplement, has shown therapeutic potential against cancer and the uneasiness of the mind. In addition, polysaccharides (PCPs) in this fungus were found to be various bioactive. In this work, one such PCP, PCP-1, extracted by deep eutectic solvent (DES) and separated using Sephadex G-15 columns, was characterized using GC-MS, HPGPC, FT-IR, and NMR, while also tested for physicochemical properties. Results indicated that PCP-1 contained 96.89 ± 3.21% total sugars and was a glucan with molecular weight of 3.2 kD. The main glycosidic linkage was 1,3-linked Glcp with 96.82 mol% content and a triple helix structure, and β-D-Glcp-(1 → linkage connected to the main chain through an O-6 atom was the backbone structure. In terms of the physicochemical property, PCP-1 was soluble in water, but not in organic solvent, and processed a relative high water-holding capacity (8.64 ± 0.14 g/g) and low oil-holding capacity (2.52 ± 0.21 g/g). In addition, in vitro, PCP-1 was found to have the ability of scavenging DPPH, hydroxyl free radical, superoxide anion radical and reducing ferric at different levels. This research would be useful for the further application of PCP-1.

An acidic polysaccharide from Oxalis corniculata L. and the preliminary study on its antioxidant activity

It has been reported that the aqueous extract from Oxalis corniculate has excellent pharmacological effects, but its polysaccharide as the major ingredient in the aqueous extract has not been reported. When the temperature of 50°C, ultrasonic power of 270 W, time of 25 min, solid to liquid ratio of 30 ml·g^-1 , the optimal O. corniculate polysaccharide (OCP) yield was 9.45%. The physicochemical properties indicated that OCP-3, as the major fraction of OCP, was an acidic polysaccharide with 31.5 kDa, and it mainly consisted of arabinose (47.83%), galacturonic acid (17.81%), and galactose (14.25%). In addition, OCP-3 displayed an excellent antioxidant activity in vitro, including scavenging free radical, anti-lipid peroxidation, and protecting plasmid DNA from oxidative damage. Meanwhile, OCP-3 significantly reduced the levels of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl by significantly increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, which protected the HEK 293 cell and Caenorhabditis elegans from oxidative damage. All the results suggested that OCP-3 might be the major active ingredient of the aqueous extract from O. corniculate, and OCP-3 might be a potent antioxidant supplement in the food, cosmetics, and medical industries. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Oxalis corniculate is a kind of wild vegetable and ethnomedicine, and it is widely distributed in temperate zones. Unfortunately, its utilization rate is low compared to its yield. Our research suggested that the polysaccharide of OCP-3 from O corniculate might be used as a potent antioxidant supplement in the food, cosmetics, and medical industries.

The Traditional Usages, Chemical Components and Pharmacological Activities of Wolfiporia cocos: A Review

As an endemic species,Wolfiporia cocos (F.A. Wolf) Ryvarden & Gilb. is widely distributed, such as in China, Korea, Japan, and North America, which have had a dual-purpose resource for medicines and food for over 2000 years. The applications of W. cocos were used to treat diseases including edema, insomnia, spleen deficiency, and vomiting. What's more, there have been wide uses of such edible fungi as a function food or dietary supplement recently. Up until now, 166 kinds of chemical components have been isolated and identified from W. cocos including triterpenes, polysaccharides, sterols, diterpenes, and others. Modern pharmacological studies showed that the components hold a wide range of pharmacological activities both in vitro and in vivo, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-oxidant, and antidepressant activities. In addition, present results showed that the mechanisms of pharmacological activities were closely related to chemical structures, molecular signaling paths and the expression of relate proteins for polysaccharides and triterpenes. For further in-depth studies on this fungus based on the recent research status, this review provided some perspectives and systematic summaries of W. cocos in traditional uses, chemical components, pharmacological activities, separation and analysis technologies, and structure-activity relationships.

Alleviation of Androgenetic Alopecia with Aqueous Paeonia lactiflora and Poria cocos Extract Intake through Suppressing the Steroid Hormone and Inflammatory Pathway

Paeonia lactiflora Pallas (PL) and Poria cocos Wolf (PC) have been traditionally used to treat inflammatory diseases reported in Dongui Bogam and Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, traditional medical books in Korean and China, respectively. We determined the efficacies and the molecular mechanisms of PL, PC, and PL + PC aqueous extracts on androgenetic alopecia (AGA) induced by testosterone propionate in C57BL/6 mice. The molecular mechanisms of PL and PC in AGA treatment were examined using experimental assays and network pharmacology. The AGA model was generated by topically applying 0.5% testosterone propionate in 70% ethanol solution to the backs of mice daily for 28 days while the normal-control (Normal-Con; no AGA induction) mice applied 70% ethanol. The 0.1% PL (AGA-PL), 0.1% PC (AGA-PC), 0.05% PL + 0.05% PC (AGA-MIX), and 0.1% cellulose (AGA-Con; control) were supplemented in a high-fat diet for 28 days in AGA-induced mice. Positive-control (AGA-Positive) were administered 2% finasteride daily on the backs of the AGA mice. Hair growth rates decreased in the order of AGA-PL, AGA-MIX, AGA-PC, AGA-Positive, and AGA-Con after 21 days of treatment (ED21). On ED28, skins were completely covered with hair in the AGA-PL and AGA-MIX groups. Serum testosterone concentrations were lower in the AGA-PL group than in the AGA-Con group and similar to concentrations in the Normal-Con group, whereas serum 17β-estradiol concentrations showed the opposite pattern with increasing aromatase mRNA expression (p < 0.05). In the dorsal skin, DKK1 and NR3C2 mRNA expressions were significantly lower, but TGF-β2, β-Catenin, and PPARG expressions were higher in the AGA-PL and AGA-PC groups than in the AGA-Con group (p < 0.05), whereas TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expressions were lower in the AGA-PL, AGA-MIX, and Normal-Con groups than in the AGA-Con group (p < 0.05). The phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β in the dorsal skin was lower in AGA-Con than normal-Con, and PL and MIX ingestion suppressed their decrease similar to the Normal-Con. In conclusion, PL or PL + PC intake had beneficial effects on hair growth similar to Normal-Con. The promotion was related to lower serum testosterone concentrations and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and inhibition of the steroid hormone pathway, consistent with network pharmacology analysis findings.

Natural-Derived Polysaccharides From Plants, Mushrooms, and Seaweeds for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease impairing the gastrointestinal tract, and its incidence and prevalence have been increasing over time worldwide. IBD greatly reduces peoples' quality of life and results in several life-threatening complications, including polyp, toxic colonic dilatation, intestinal perforation, gastrointestinal bleeding, and cancerization. The current therapies for IBD mainly include drugs for noncritical patients and operation for critical patients. However, continuous use of these drugs causes serious side effects and increased drug resistance, and the demand of effective and affordable drugs with minimal side effects for IBD sufferers is urgent. Natural-derived polysaccharides are becoming a research hotspot for their therapeutic effects on IBD. This study focuses on the research progress of various natural polysaccharides from plants, seaweeds, and mushrooms for the treatment of IBD during recent 20 years. Regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory status, gut microbiota, and immune system and protection of the intestinal epithelial barrier function are the underlying mechanisms for the natural-derived polysaccharides to treat IBD. The excellent efficacy and safety of polysaccharides make them promising candidates for IBD therapy.

The inhibition of Mpro, the primary protease of COVID-19, by Poria cocos and its active compounds: a network pharmacology and molecular docking study

Poria cocos is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that can clear dampness, promote diuresis, and strengthen the spleen and stomach. Poria cocos has been detected in many TCM compounds that are used for COVID-19 intervention. However, the active ingredients and mechanisms associated with the effect of Poria cocos on COVID-19 remain unclear. In this paper, the active ingredients of Poria cocos, along with their potential targets related to COVID-19, were screened using TCMSP, GeneCards, and other databases, by means of network pharmacology. We then investigated the active components, potential targets, and interactions, that are associated with COVID-19 intervention. The primary protease of COVID-19, Mpro, is currently a key target in the design of potential inhibitors. Molecular docking techniques and molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that the active components of Poria cocos could bind stably to the active site of Mpro with high levels of binding activity. Pachymic acid is based on a triterpene structure and was identified as the main component of Poria cocos; its triterpene active component has low binding energy with Mpro. The pachymic acid of Mpro activity was further characterized and the IC₅₀ was determined to be 18.607 μmol L⁻¹. Our results indicate that pachymic acid exhibits a certain inhibitory effect on the Mpro protease.

The inhibition of Mpro, the primary protease of COVID-19, by Poria cocos.

Multiple-fingerprint analysis of Poria cocos polysaccharide by HPLC combined with chemometrics methods

In this study, the multiple fingerprints, which were integrated with HPGFC-ELSD (high performance gel filtration chromatography - evaporative light scattering detector) fingerprint, PMP-HPLC-DAD (1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone-high performance liquid chromatography - diode array detector) fingerprint of complete acid hydrolysates and HILIC-HPLC-ELSD (hydrophilic interaction - high performance liquid chromatography - evaporative light scattering detector) fingerprint of enzyme hydrolysates, were established to evaluate the quality of polysaccharides from Poria cocos (PCPs). The similarity evaluation showed that 16 batches of PCPs from different origins had high similarity in structural characteristics based on the multiple fingerprints. The chromatographic data of multiple fingerprints of PCPs were fused, processed and analyzed by chemometric methods including HCA (hierarchical cluster analysis), PCA (principal component analysis) and PLS-DA (partial least squares discriminant analysis). The 16 batches of PCPs were divided into 3 categories in PCA, indicating a certain relationship between the structural characteristics and the origins. PLS-DA analysis indicated that Man, Glc, Gal, Fuc, the components with m/z of 2.22 × 10⁴∼1.53 × 10⁴ Da and 3.46 × 10³∼2.69 × 10³ Da, oligosaccharides with DPs of 6 and 7, respectively, could be regarded as potential chemical markers for the classification of PCPs from different origins. According to the multiple fingerprints and chemometric analysis, the two commercial samples were proved to be adulterants.

Inhibition of Calcium Oxalate Formation and Antioxidant Activity of Carboxymethylated Poria cocos Polysaccharides

Three carboxymethylated Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCP-C1, PCP-C2, and PCP-C3) with -COOH contents of 6.13%, 10.24%, and 16.22%, respectively, were obtained by carboxymethylation of the original polysaccharide (PCP-C0), which has a molecular weight of 4 kDa and a carboxyl (-COOH) content of 2.54%. The structure of the PCP-Cs was characterized by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectra. The four PCP-Cs exhibited antioxidant activity, and their ability to scavenge radicals (hydroxyl and DPPH) and chelate ferrous ions was positively correlated with the degree of carboxymethylation. As the content of -COOH groups in the PCP-Cs increases, their ability to regulate the growth of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals was enhanced, thus inhibiting the growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals and inducing the formation of more calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) crystals. The formed CaOx crystal was more round and blunt, the absolute value of the Zeta potential on the crystal surface increased, and the aggregation between crystals was inhibited. Thermogravimetric analysis curves showed that the proportions of PCP-C0, PCP-C1, PCP-C2, and PCP-C3 incorporated into the crystal were 20.52%, 15.60%, 10.65%, and 9.78%, respectively, in the presence of 0.4 g/L PCP-Cs. PCP-C protection resisted oxidative damages of human kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) caused by oxalate, resulting in increased cell viability and superoxide dismutase activity and decreased reactive oxygen species levels, malondialdehyde content, and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine expression. Hence, PCP-Cs, especially PCP-C3, can inhibit the formation of CaOx crystals and may have the potential to be an alternative antistone drug.

Structure characterization and in vitro immunomodulatory activities of carboxymethyl pachymaran

Carboxymethyl pachymaran (CMP) was prepared from Poria cocos polysaccharide by carboxymethylation. Two types of CMP (CMP-1 and CMP-2) were further purified by DEAE-52 anion-exchange chromatography. The structure characteristics and immunomodulatory activities of CMP-1 and CMP-2 were investigated. CMP-1 was determined as β-(1 → 3)-d-glucan. A β-(1 → 3)-d-glucan backbone structure was also found in CMP-2, which was mainly consistent of mannose and glucose, with the mole ratio of 0.03:1. The molecular weight of CMP-1 was 126.1 kDa with a 30.4 nm irregular sphere in distilled water. However, the molecular weight of CMP-2 was 172.6 kDa in a 19.9 nm spherical structure in water solution. Both CMP-1 and CMP-2 had triple helical structure, which can promote the proliferation and the phagocytosis of macrophages. Moreover, CMP-1 and CMP-2 both could improve the secretions of NO, TNF-α and IL-6 by increasing the expression of iNOS, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA, but CMP-1 exhibited a stronger immunomodulatory ability than that of CMP-2. Our results indicated that CMP-1 and CMP-2 can act as potential immunomodulatory agents.

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.

Poria cocos Polysaccharides Alleviates Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis by Preventing Oxidative Stress, Regulating Hormone Production, Modifying Gut Microbiota, and Remodeling the DNA Methylome

Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) is a common male disease with high incidence and low cure rate. This study aims to investigate the anti-CNP potential of Poria cocos polysaccharides (PPs) in a λ-carrageenan-induced CNP rat model. Results showed that PPs exerted anti-CNP functions by reducing the prostate weight and prostate index as well as the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β). Further analysis on sex hormones revealed that PPs could favor CNP alleviation by regulating the production of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DTH), and estradiol (E2). PPs could also alleviate CNP by regulating the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), malonaldehyde (MDA), and superoxide diamutase (SOD) in inflamed prostate, thereby enhancing the anti-oxidative stress activity. As most non-digestive polysaccharides are fermented by gut microbiota rather than being digested directly by the host, we further analyzed PP-induced changes in gut microbiota. Microbiomic analysis revealed that PPs significantly change the profile of gut microbiota. Moreover, the relative abundance of five genera was recovered by PPs with a dose-effect relationship, thereby being suggested to play critical roles in the alleviation of CNP. Epigenomic (methylomic) analysis showed that PPs remodeled the DNA methylome of intestinal epithelia, by which PPs might modify hormone production. In the present study, we reported the anti-CNP activity of PPs as well as the involved mechanisms.

Rapid determination of polysaccharides and antioxidant activity of Poria cocos using near-infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics

This study evaluates the feasibility of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics as a fast and efficient technique to predict the polysaccharide content and antioxidant activity of Poria cocos. The reference values of polysaccharide content were determined by the phenol-sulfuric acid method, and the antioxidant activities were determined by the DPPH scavenge assay, FRAP scavenge assay and ABTS scavenge assay, respectively. The partial least squares regression algorithm was used to relate the spectra to the reference values. Various methods for spectra pretreatment and variable selection were optimized to improve the predictability and stability of the models. As a result, the best models yielded very satisfying results, of which the values of coefficients of determination were all >0.94, and the values of residual predictive deviation were all >4. Such results confirmed that the present method is robust and applicable, and thus has good potential for rapid quality evaluation of Poria cocos.

Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of Wolfiporia cocos (F.A. Wolf) Ryvarden & Gilb

Poria cocos is the dried sclerotium of Wolfiporia cocos (F.A. Wolf) Ryvarden & Gilb., which was the current accepted name and was formerly known as Macrohyporia cocos (Schwein.) I. Johans. & Ryvarden, Pachyma cocos (Schwein.) Fr., Poria cocos F.A. Wolf and Sclerotium cocos Schwein. It is one of the most important crude drugs in traditional Chinese medicine, with a wide range of applications in ameliorating phlegm and edema, relieving nephrosis and chronic gastritis and improving uneasiness of minds. Its extensive pharmacological effects have attracted considerable attention in recent years. However, there is no systematic review focusing on the chemical compounds and pharmacological activities of Poria cocos. Therefore, this review aimed to provide the latest information on the chemical compounds and pharmacological effects of Poria cocos, exploring the therapeutic potential of these compounds. We obtained the information of Poria cocos from electronic databases such as SCI finder, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang DATA and Google Scholar. Up to now, two main active ingredients, triterpenes and polysaccharides of Poria cocos, have been identified from Poria cocos. It has been reported that they have pharmacological effects on anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, and liver and kidney protection. The review summarizes the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Poria cocos, which suggest that researchers should focus on the development of new drugs about Poria cocos to make them exert greater therapeutic potential.

Green and Efficient Extraction of Polysaccharides From Poria cocos F.A. Wolf by Deep Eutectic Solvent

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were proposed for the extraction of polysaccharides from Poria cocos (PCPs). Six types of DESs were prepared, and the DES composed of choline chloride and oxalic acid was proved to be suitable. Based on the results of single-factor test, the Box-Behnken experimental design with response surface methodology was carried out, giving the optimal extraction conditions including mole ratio of 1:2 (choline chloride:oxalic acid) and extraction 15 minutes at 100°C. Under the optimal extraction conditions, the extraction yield (46.24% ± 0.13%) was 8.6 times higher than that of hot water. The reusability of DES was demonstrated by a 6-run test, and an extraction yield of PCP was 38.40% ± 0.23% after reusing for 6 times without adding any additional chemicals. Moreover, molecular weight distributions of the resulting PCP were analyzed, and then mainly distributed in the range of 753 to 3578 g/mol. Therefore, DESs were proved to be an excellent extraction solvent alternative to the extraction of PCP.

An insoluble polysaccharide from the sclerotium of Poria cocos improves hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice via modulation of gut microbiota

Metabolic syndrome characterized by obesity, hyperglycemia and liver steatosis is becoming prevalent all over the world. Herein, a water insoluble polysaccharide (WIP) was isolated and identified from the sclerotium of Poria cocos, a widely used Traditional Chinese Medicine. WIP was confirmed to be a (1-3)-β-D-glucan with an average Mw of 4.486 × 10⁶ Da by NMR and SEC-RI-MALLS analyses. Furthermore, oral treatment with WIP from P. cocos significantly improved glucose and lipid metabolism and alleviated hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. 16S DNA sequencing analysis of cecum content from WIP-treated mice indicated the increase of butyrate-producing bacteria Lachnospiracea, Clostridium. It was also observed that WIP treatment elevated the level of butyrate in gut, improved the gut mucosal integrity and activated the intestinal PPAR-γ pathway. Fecal transplantation experiments definitely confirmed the causative role of gut microbiota in mediating the benefits of WIP. It is the first report that the water insoluble polysaccharide from the sclerotium of P. cocos modulates gut microbiota to improve hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Thereby, WIP from P. cocos, as a prebiotic, has the potential for the prevention or cure of metabolic diseases and may elucidate new mechanism for the efficacies of this traditional herbal medicine on the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism.

Gastrodia elata Blume Polysaccharides: A Review of Their Acquisition, Analysis, Modification, and Pharmacological Activities

Gastrodia elata Blume (G. elata) is a valuable Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with a wide range of clinical applications. G. elata polysaccharides, as one of the main active ingredients of G. elata, have interesting extraction, purification, qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, derivatization, and pharmacological activity aspects, yet a review of G. elata polysaccharides has not yet been published. Based on this, this article summarizes the progress of G. elata polysaccharides in terms of the above aspects to provide a basis for their further research and development.

Comparative quality of the forms of decoction pieces evaluated by multidimensional chemical analysis and chemometrics: Poria cocos, a pilot study

Many Chinese medicinal materials (CMMs) are parts of plants or fungi that have been processed into different physical forms, termed decoction pieces, that are typically boiled in water for consumption. One CMM may have several decoction pieces forms, e.g., slices, small cubes (dice), or grains. The specifications that have different morphological parameters (shape, size and thickness) for these various decoction pieces have been developed over, in some cases, centuries of practice. Nevertheless, whether and how the form of decoction pieces affects the extraction (decoction) dynamics, and quality stability during storage has not been studied. Here, we investigated Poria cocos (PC) as a pilot study; we explore how the form of PC decoction pieces affects its chemistry using multidimensional chemical evaluation such as ultra-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA-QTOF-MS/MS), ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) and high performance gel permeation chromatography coupled with charged aerosol detector (HPGPC-CAD), combined with analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA), factor analysis (FA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). The results indicated that different specifications had significant differences, and these specifications could be divided into four groups. The comprehensive results of the chemical analyses undertaken here indicate that the highest potentially available quality of PC decoction pieces was in the forms of curl, ultra-small grains and small grains, followed by thin slices. This information not only is conducive to promoting the standardization of the specification/form of PC decoction pieces and maximizing the benefits from its utilization, but also provide a promising strategy for assessing other CMM decoction pieces in different forms.

An overview of fungal glycan-based therapeutics

Edible medicinal mushrooms have been traditionally used for health promotion and longevity in China and other East Asian countries for centuries. Structural and pharmacological studies revealed that fungal glycans show multiple physiological and healthy promoting effects including immunomodulation, anti-tumor, anti-aging, anti-oxidation, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-radiation, and other effects. Fungal glycans isolated from different kinds of medicinal mushrooms are partially purified and clinically tested. Without serious safety concerns of mostly glycans from edible mushrooms and/or the cultured mycelium, eight of them are approved by Chinese Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) and used clinically in China since 1980s. In this chapter, 185 independent studies involving in biochemical, pharmacological and clinical studies of fungal glycans during the past four decades (1977-2019) from PubMed, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) and Wanfang databases are summarized. In future, understanding the fungal glycan-based drugs at molecular biological level would be needed to comprehend the clinical efficacy of glycan-based drugs.

The protective effects of Poria cocos-derived polysaccharide CMP33 against IBD in mice and its molecular mechanism

In this study, the protective effects of a carboxymethyl polysaccharide CMP33 from Poria cocos against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were investigated using TNBS-induced colitis in mice. The results showed that CMP33 markedly ameliorated the severity of colitis, including a 2-fold decrease in the mortality rate, a 50% decrease in disease activity index, and a 36%-44% decrease in macro- or microscopic histopathological score, compared with TNBS administration. Moreover, CMP33 decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in the colon tissue and serum of colitic mice. Using iTRAQ-coupled- nano-HPLC-MS/MS-based proteomics, the protein profiles after TNBS, high- or low-dose CMP33 and salazosulfapyridine (SASP) treatments were compared and many differentially expressed proteins were identified. Among them, 7 proteins (Hmgcs2, Fabp2, Hp, B4galnt2, B3gnt6, Sap and Ca1) were proposed to be the common targeting protein group (TPG) of CMP33 and drug SASP. Particularly, some targeting proteins were CMP33-dose-specific: high-dose-specific TPG (Mtco3, Gal-6, Mptx, S100 g and Hpx) and low-dose-specific TPG (Zg16, Hexb, Insl5, Cept1, Hspb6 and Ifi27l2b), suggesting the complex acting mechanism of CMP33. GC-TOF-MS-based metabolomics revealed that oleic acid and dihydrotestosterone could be the common targets of CMP33 and SASP. By integrative analysis of proteomics and metabolomics, key protein-metabolite pathways (PMP) were identified, PMP for high-dose: 2-hydroxybutyric acid - (GPT, GGH) - glutathione - ALB - testosterone - TTR - dihydrotestosterone; PMP for low-dose: (PYY, FABP2, HMGCS2) - oleic acid - TTR - dihydrotestosterone. In total, these results demonstrated the protective effects of CMP33 against IBD in mice through the potential TPG and PMP.

Interaction between carboxymethyl pachyman and lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins with superior synergistic antibacterial activity

The inhibitory effect of carboxymethyl pachyman (CMP) mixed with lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins (LSPC) in certain ratios against E. coli 10899 was determined. Added low concentration of LSPC could improve the antibacterial activity of CMP, and a significant synergistic effect could be observed between them, especially when the concentration of CMP was below its critical concentration (1.35 mg/mL). Then, the interaction between CMP and LSPC was characterized after mixing; the changes in spectral characteristics, thermal properties, crystallinity pattern, molecular weight, chain morphology and microrheological behaviour explained the influence of interaction on the structure of CMP and LSPC. The smaller molecular size, electrostatic interaction and stronger hydrophobic interaction might play important roles in improving the antibacterial activity of mixture. The dissociation constant (K_d) was determined to be 0.102±0.0008 mg/mL using MicroScale Thermophoresis (MST), and the micromorphology was observed by SEM. Therefore, this mixture might be an effective natural bacteriostat.

Purification, antitumor and anti-inflammation activities of an alkali-soluble and carboxymethyl polysaccharide CMP33 from Poria cocos

A carboxymethyl polysaccharide CMP33 (15.23 × 10⁴ Da) was isolated from edible and pharmaceutical mushroom Poria cocos using alkaline extraction followed by DEAE-52 and Saphadex-G200 + Saphadex-G150 column chromatographies. The structure analysis showed that CMP33 was composed of glucosyl residues containing a backbone chain of (1 → 3)-linked glucose residues and side chains of (1 → 6) and (1 → 2)-linked glucose residues, and possessed triple-helix structure. Bioassay results revealed that CMP33 displayed a dose-dependent inhibition on 5 cancer cells (HepG-2, MCF-7, SGC-7901, A549) in the range of 31.25-1000 μg/mL, but low cytotoxicity on normal liver cells L-O2. Moreover, CMP33 stimulated NO release and cytokine secretion (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α), and also inhibited LPS-stimulated overproduction of NO, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β, in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggested that CMP33 possessed anticancer, anti-inflammation and immune-stimulation activities, and potential for developing as a bioactive ingredient in functional foods.