Structure-immunomodulatory activity relationships of Hedysarum polysaccharides extracted by a method involving a complex enzyme combined with ultrasonication

Preparation of composite calcium phosphate cement scaffold loaded with Hedysarum polysaccharides and its efficacy in repairing bone defects

It's imperative to create a more ideal biological scaffold for bone defect repair. Calcium phosphate bone cements (CPC) could be used as a scaffold. Some ingredients and osteogenic factors could be added to improve its poor mechanical properties and biological activity. As a macromolecule extracted from traditional Chinese medicine, Hedysarum polysaccharides (HPS) would significantly promote the osteogenic activity of bone biomaterials. Zirconium oxide and starch were added to the solid phase and citric acid was added to the liquid phase to optimize CPC. HPS was loaded onto the scaffold as an osteogenic factor, and the prepared CPS + HPS was characterized. Further, the cytocompatibility of CPS + HPS was assessed according to activity, differentiation, and calcification in neonatal rat calvarial osteoblasts, and the biosafety of CPS + HPS was evaluated according to acute toxicity, pyrogen, sensitization, and hemolysis. The success of CPS + HPS in repairing bone defects was evaluated by using a rabbit femur implantation experiment. After optimization, CPS-20-CA-5 containing 10% starch and 5% citric acid displayed the highest mechanical strength of 28.96 ± 0.03 MPa. HPS-50 was demonstrated to exert the best osteogenic effect. The combination of CPS + HPS achieved HPS-loaded CPC. Material characterization, cytocompatibility, biosafety, and femoral implantation experiments indicated that CPS + HPS possessed better pressure resistance and improved osteogenic ability in bone defect repair.CPS + HPS demonstrated effective pressure resistance and superior osteogenic ability, which may be of great significance for bone defects and bone tissue engineering to promote bone regeneration and repair.

Species of the Sections Hedysarum and Multicaulia of the Genus Hedysarum (Fabaceae): Taxonomy, Distribution, Chromosomes, Genomes, and Phylogeny

The genus Hedysarum L. (Fabaceae) includes about 200 species of annual and perennial herbs distributed in Asia, Europe, North Africa, and North America. Many species of this genus are valuable medicinal, melliferous, and forage resources. In this review, we consider the taxonomic history of the genus Hedysarum, the chromosomal organization of the species from the sections Hedysarum and Multicaulia, as well as phylogenetic relationships between these sections. According to morphological, genetic, and phylogenetic data, the genus Hedysarum is divided into three main sections: Hedysarum (= syn. Gamotion), Multicaulia, and Stracheya. In species of this genus, two basic chromosome numbers, x = 7 (section Hedysarum) and x = 8 (sections Multicaulia and Stracheya), were determined. The systematic positions of some species within the sections are still uncertain due to their morphological similarities. The patterns of distribution of molecular chromosomal markers (45S rDNA, 5S rDNA, and different satellite DNAs) in karyotypes of various Hedysarum species made it possible to determine their ploidy status and also specify genomic relationships within the sections Hedysarum and Multicaulia. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies clarified significantly the taxonomy and evolutionary development of the genus Hedysarum.

Se-rich tea polysaccharide extracted by high hydrostatic pressure attenuated anaphylaxis by improving gut microbiota and metabolic regulation

Selenium-rich tea polysaccharides (Se-TPS) were extracted via high hydrostatic pressure technology with a pressure of 400 MPa (200-500 MPa) for 10 min (3-20 min) at a material-to-solvent ratio of 1:40 (1:20-1:50). Subsequently, Se-TPS1-4 were isolated and purified, with Se-TPS3-4 as the main components. A spectral analysis proved that Se, which has antioxidant activity, existed. An in vitro study found that among Se-TPS, Se-TPS3-4 attenuated the release of β-hexosaminidase, histamine, and interleukin (IL)-4. Furthermore, in vivo experiments revealed that treatment with Se-TPS downregulated IL-4 levels and upregulated TGF-β and interferon-γ levels to improve imbalanced Th1/Th2 immunity in tropomyosin-sensitized mice. Moreover, Se-TPS promoted Lactobacillus and norank_f_Muribaculaceaek growth and upregulated metabolites such as genipin and coniferyl alcohol. Overall, these results showed the strong anti-allergy potential of Se-TPS by regulating mast cell-mediated allergic inflammatory responses and microbiota regulation, highlighting the potential of Se-TPS as a novel therapeutic agent to regulate allergy-associated metabolic disorders.

Effect of extraction method on the structure and bioactivity of polysaccharides from activated sludge

Resource recovery is a pivotal facet of waste activated sludge treatment, particularly within the framework of carbon neutrality and the circular economy. Polysaccharides are emerging as a valuable resource from waste activated sludge, and the choice of extraction method affects the properties of the polysaccharides, which is of utmost importance for subsequent application. This investigation examined the effects of six extraction methods (i.e., acidic, alkaline, ultrasonication, hot-water, microwave, and electric treatments) on the yield, chemical composition, structural characteristics, and bioactivities of polysaccharides extracted from sludge. For each extraction method, two operational parameters, namely the treatment time and strength (e.g., the acid and alkali concentration), were initially optimized in terms of the polysaccharide yield. The polysaccharide yield varied from 1.03 ± 0.12 % to 5.34 ± 0.10 % adopting the extraction methods under optimized conditions, and the alkaline extraction method had the highest yield of polysaccharides with a treatment time of 120 min and NaOH concentration of 1 %. At least one polysaccharide fraction was successfully purified from the crude polysaccharide of each extraction method. The compositions and structures of these fractions, including carbohydrate, protein, sulfate, uronic acid contents, and monosaccharide compositions, were determined. Carbohydrate was the dominant component, with the hot-water-2 fraction having the highest carbohydrate content (77.90 % ± 2.02 %). Monosaccharides in the polysaccharides were measured, with mannose, rhamnose, glucose, and xylose being found in all fractions, whereas ribose was exclusively found in the acid-1 fraction. The molecular weights of these fractions ranged between 1.60 × 104 Da and 7.11 × 106 Da. Furthermore, the bioactivities of the polysaccharides, encompassing five anti-oxidant and three anti-coagulant properties, were assessed, with the ultrasonication-1 fraction having superior performance in seven of the assays. Finally, the association among the fractions in terms of composition and bioactivity was assessed adopting cluster analysis and regression methods. The findings underscore the effect of the extraction method on the properties of polysaccharides extracted from sludge, thereby providing valuable insights for the prospective applications of polysaccharides.

A Polysaccharide from Ficus carica L. Exerts Immunomodulatory Activity in Both In Vitro and In Vivo Experimental Models

Polysaccharides from Ficus carica L. (FCP) exert multiple biological activities. As a biological macromolecule, the available knowledge about the specific structures and mechanisms of the biological activity of purified 'Brunswick' fig polysaccharides is currently limited. In the present study, chemical purification and characteristics were identified via chemical and instrumental analysis, and then the impact of FCP on immunomodulation activity in vitro and in vivo was examined. Structural characteristics showed that the molecular weight of the FCP sample was determined to be 127.5 kDa; the primary monosaccharides present in the FCP sample were galacturonic acid (GalA), arabinose (Ara), galactose (Gal), rhamnose (Rha), glucose (Glc), and xylose (Xyl) at a ratio of 0.321:0.287:0.269:0.091:0.013:0.011. Based on the investigation of in vitro immunomodulatory activity, FCP was found to stimulate the production of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6, and increased the pinocytic activity of macrophages. Further analysis revealed that FCP activated macrophages by interacting with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Moreover, the in vivo test results indicate that FCP showed a significant increase in serum pro-inflammatory factors in immunosuppressed mice. Overall, this study suggests that FCP has the potential to be utilized as a novel immunomodulator in the pharmaceutical and functional food industries.

Pharmacological action of Hedysarum polysaccharides: a review

Hedysarum, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine and food with a long history of clinical application, is used to improve health conditions and treat various diseases. Hedysarum polysaccharides (HPS), flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids, are the primary components of Hedysarum. HPS is the most important natural active ingredient of Hedysarum, which has many pharmacological effects. Currently, HPS exhibits significant promise in drug development for various ailments such as tumors, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and fibrosis. This review paper discusses the extraction, separation, and content determination techniques of HPS, along with the investigation of its chemical constituents. More importantly, we reviewed the anti-inflammatory pharmacological effects of HPS, such as inhibition of inflammatory factors and NF-κB signaling pathway; antitumor activity through apoptosis induction in tumor cells and blocking tumor cell proliferation and metastasis; antioxidant effects; regulation of various cytokines and immune cells; regulation of blood sugar levels, such as in type I and type II diabetes and in diabetic complications; improvement in symptoms of Alzheimer disease; anti-aging and anti-fibrosis properties; and improvement in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. This review paper establishes the theoretical foundation for future studies on the structure, mechanism, and clinical use of HPS.

Novel Gastroprotective and Thermostable Cocrystal of Dimethyl Fumarate: Its Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Crystallization has revolutionized the field of solid-state formulations by modulating the physiochemical and release profile of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Dimethyl fumarate (DF), an FDA-approved first-line drug for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, has a sublimation problem, leading to loss of the drug during its processing. To tackle this problem, DF cocrystal has been prepared by using solvent evaporation technique using nicotinamide as a coformer, which has been chosen based on in silico predictions and their ability to participate in hydrogen bonding. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and sublimation analysis have characterized the cocrystal and its thermostability. Comparative analysis of the release profile has been done by the dissolution and pharmacokinetic study of DF and its cocrystal. Formulated cocrystal is noncytotoxic, antioxidant and inhibits interleukin-6 and tissue necrosis factor-α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells induced by lipopolysaccharide. We have obtained a thermostable cocrystal of DF with a similar physicochemical and release profile to that of DF. The formulated cocrystal also provides a gastroprotective effect which helps counterbalance the adverse effects of DF by reducing lipid peroxidation and total nitrite levels.

Critical review on alterations in physiochemical properties and molecular structure of natural polysaccharides upon ultrasonication

Natural polymers, such as polysaccharides, cellulose, and starch, have been widely used in the chemical engineering, medicine, food, and cosmetics industries, which had a great many of biological activities. Natural polysaccharides origin from algae, fungi and plants were components of human diet since antique times. Ultrasonication achieved the breakage the polysaccharides reticulum in an ordered fashion. The factors of temperature, ratio of water/material, sonication frequency, time of exposure, pH of the sonication medium influenced the polysaccharide digestion. Sonication improved the enzyme catalysis over its substrate molecule. Positive health promoting slow digestive starch and resistant starch can be prepared quite easily by the sonication process. The aim of this review is to present the current status and scope of natural polymers as well as some emerging polymers with special characteristic. The physiochemical properties and molecular structure of natural carbohydrates under ultrasonic irradiation were also discussed. Moreover, Polysaccharide based films had industrial applications is formed by ultrasonication. Polysaccharide nanoparticles obtained by sonication had efficient water holding capacity. Sonication is an advanced method to improve the food quality. Hence, this review describes the effects of ultrasonication on physical, chemical, and molecular structure of natural polysaccharides.

Hepatoprotective effect and structural analysis of Hedysarum polysaccharides in vivo and in vitro

The crude Hedysarum polysaccharides (HPS: HPS-50 and HPS-80) obtained from Radix Hedysari exhibited great pharmacological activities in our previous research. This study investigated the effects of HPS on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice and LPS-induced injury in LO2 cells, as well as the relationship between structural characteristics and hepatoprotective activities. The in vivo results showed that compared with HPS-80, HPS-50 showed stronger hepatoprotection, which improved histopathological changes to normal levels. HPS-50 significantly decreased the levels of ALT, AST, MPO, and MDA, increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH, and suppressed the LPS/D-GalN-triggered production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 (p < .05). The results in vitro showed that HPS-50-P (HPS-50-1, HPS-50-2, and HPS-50-3) purified from HPS-50 played significant protective roles against LPS-induced injury in LO2 cells by reducing cell apoptosis and relieving cell cycle arrest. HPS-50-2 restored the percentage of normal cells from 54.8% to 94.7%, and reduced the S phase cells from 59.40% to 47.05% (p < .01). By analyzing the structure of HPS-50-P, including monosaccharide composition, molecular weight, chain conformation, and surface morphology, we speculated that the best protective effect of HPS-50-2 might be attributed to its beta configuration, highest molecular weight, and high glucose and galactose contents. These findings indicate that HPS-50 might be a promising source of functional foods for the protection and prevention of ALI. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In this study, the protective effect of HPS on ALI was evaluated from multiple perspectives, and HPS-50-2 was screened as a potential active ingredient. This study has two practical applications. First, it provides a new way to improve ALI, and a new option for patients to prevent and treat ALI. Second, this work also complements the pharmacological activity of Radix Hedysari and provides a basis for the development of Radix Hedysari as a functional food.

Immunomodulatory activity of Senegalia macrostachya (Reichenb. ex DC.) Kyal. & Boatwr seed polysaccharide fraction through the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway in RAW264.7 macrophages

Senegalia macrostachya (Reichenb. ex DC.) Kyal. & Boatwr seed (SMS) is a wild legume used as food and medicine in many African countries. In the current study, a novel polysaccharide (SMSP2) was extracted from SMS using hot water and purified with DEAE-52 cellulose. Its structure was characterized, and the immunomodulatory activity and possible molecular mechanism in murine macrophage RAW264.7 were explored. The results revealed that SMSP2 was a uronic acid-rich polysaccharide (51.6%, w/w) with a molecular weight of 52.07 kDa. The neutral sugars were mainly arabinose, xylose, mannose, and galactose at a molar ratio of 1.00 : 0.84 : 0.90 : 0.07. Interestingly, SMSP2 treatment markedly promoted macrophage proliferation and phagocytosis and induced the expression of inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10. SMSP2-induced macrophage stimulation occurs through the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Moreover, macrophage surface complement receptor 3 (CR3) might play an important role in SMSP2-induced macrophage activation. This study revealed that SMSP2 is a potent immunomodulator, which could be used as a functional food and a pharmaceutical adjuvant in treating immune-compromising diseases.

Isolation, structures and bioactivities of the polysaccharides from Radix Hedysari: A review

Radix Hedysari, a well-known traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has a long history as a medicinal plant in China based on its wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities. Until now, many chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from Radix Hedysari, such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, trace elements and so on. Of these, Radix Hedysari polysaccharides are one of the most important active compounds of the Radix Hedysari and have various biological activities, including anti-tumor activity, antioxidant activity, anti-diabetic activity, immunity enhancement effect and regulation of intestinal flora. These beneficial biological activities are related to the chemical structure of the Radix Hedysari polysaccharides. The chemical structure of HPS is the basis of its biological activity, which is affected by many factors, such as the composition of monosaccharide, the size of relative molecular weight, the way of glycoside bond connection, the three-dimensional structure of polysaccharide, and so on. Different extraction and separation methods lead to different configurations of polysaccharides and different biological activities of polysaccharides. In general, the bioactivity of polysaccharides showed a certain dose-response or structure-activity relationship. At present, few studies of regarding the structure-function relationships of these polysaccharides have been reported, and it is not easy to relate the structures of HPS to their biological activities. Nevertheless, some relationships can be inferred as follows. This article is aimed to provide a systematic and up-to-date review on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, and biological activities of the Radix Hedysari polysaccharides to support its further therapeutic potentials and sanitarian functions. Furthermore, the possible development and a perspective for future research of Radix Hedysari polysaccharides are also discussed.

Green synthesis, characterization of Radix Hedysari-mediated silver nanoparticles and their use for sensitive colorimetric detection of Pb2+ in the Yellow River medium

In this study, a safe, rapid, and environment-friendly green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the alcohol extract of Radix Hedysari (RH-AgNPs) was developed, the alcohol extract of Radix Hedysari (RH) acted as the reducing agent, stabilizer, and modifier. The main components of RH were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The particle size and morphology of RH-AgNPs were optimized and characterized by a series of techniques. The size distribution, zeta potential, element distribution, and crystalline nature of RH-AgNPs were all determined. It was indicated that RH-AgNPs showed great sensitivity for lead ion (Pb²⁺) detection with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.5 μM with a wide range of 10-500 μM. The selectivity was also explored for common metal ions. RH-AgNPs were then applied to the detection of Pb²⁺ in spiked Yellow River samples, and the possible mechanism is based on the crosslinking reaction between the hydroxide radical, carboxylate radical and Pb²⁺.

Ethnopharmacological Survey of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacy Prescriptions for Dysmenorrhea

Chinese herbal medicines have long been used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. The treatment experiences of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pharmacies passed down through generations have contributed to a wealth of prescriptions for dysmenorrhea that have achieved significant therapeutic effects in countless Taiwanese women. Therefore, surveying and analyzing these prescriptions may enable us to elucidate the core medication combinations used in TCM prescriptions for dysmenorrhea. In the present study, a field investigation was conducted on various TCM pharmacies in Taiwan. A total of 96 TCM pharmacies were sampled, and 99 prescriptions for dysmenorrhea containing 77 different medicinal materials were collected. Compositae (8%) was the most common botanical source of the medicinal materials, and the predominant TCM property and flavor of the materials were warm (45%) and sweet (73%), respectively. The blood-activating and stasis-dispelling effect (23%) and the qi-tonifying effect (23%) were the most prevalent traditional effects, and the modern pharmacological effects most commonly found in the materials were anti-inflammatory (73%), antitumor (59%), and analgesic (12%) effects. Network analysis of the 77 medicinal materials used in the prescriptions, which was performed using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support System, yielded seven core medicinal materials and the corresponding network diagram. The seven core medicinal materials ranked in order of relative frequency of citation (RFC) were Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Dang Gui), Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort (Chuan Qiong), Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch (Di Huang), Paeonia lactiflora Pall (Bai Shao), Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz (Hong Qi), Lycium chinense Mill (Gou Qi Zi), and Cinnamomum cassia (L.). J. Presl (Gui Zhi). A total of 58 combinations, each consisting of two to five of the seven medicinal materials and 107 association rules among the materials, were identified. This study provides a record of valuable knowledge on TCM pharmacy prescriptions for dysmenorrhea. The rich medicinal knowledge of TCM pharmacies in Taiwan is worthy of further exploration, and the results of this study can serve as a basis for future pharmacological research and the development of naturally derived medications for dysmenorrhea.

Structural characterization of a polysaccharide from Radix Hedysari and its protective effects against H2O2-induced injury in human gastric epithelium cells

The gastroprotective effects of polysaccharides had become a hot topic in the field of functional polysaccharides research. Three polysaccharides, namely HPS-80-1, HPS-80-2, and HPS-80-3 were purified by DEAE-52 column chromatography. The thermodynamic characteristics, scanning electron microscopy, and Congo red experimental results of the above polysaccharides were greatly distinctive. Then a mature GES-1 oxidative stress cell model induced by H₂O₂ was established to screen out subsequent research subjects. It turned out that HPS-80-1 had a desirable protective effect, which was confirmed by analyses of cell cycle & apoptosis, and oxidative stress-related factors in the cell culture media, and so on. Furthermore, Structural features demonstrated that the backbone of HPS-80-1 appeared to mainly consist of →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →4,6)-β-L-Glcp-(1→, and →6)-α-D-Galp-(1→, with branches at O-1, O-4, and O-6 position consisting of →2,4)-β-D-Rhap-(1→, →1)-α-D-Galp-(4→, and →3,4)-α-D-Manp-(1→. It was speculated that the excellent gastric mucosal protective activity of HPS-80-1 may be due to the high amount of glucose in the backbone. In addition, it was also related to the anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant bases such as (1 → 4)-Glcp and (1 → 6)-Galp in the structure of HPS-80-1. These findings provide a scientific basis for further utilization of polysaccharides from Radix Hedysari.

Structural characterization of novel arabinoxylan and galactoarabinan from citron with potential antitumor and immunostimulatory activities

This study aimed to extract polysaccharides from citron and analyze their structures and potential bioactivities. Two novel polysaccharides CM-1 and CM-2 were purified from citron by DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. Monosaccharide composition, linkage and NMR data were used to infer their sugar chains composition. The anti-breast cancer cells and immunoregulatory activities of CM-1 and CM-2 were investigated. Results indicated that CM-1 (Mw = 21,520 Da), composed of arabinose, xylose, mannose and glucose in a molar ratio of 10.78:11.53:1.00:1.70, was arabinoxylan (AX) with (1 → 4)-linked β-d-Xylp skeleton monosubstituted with α-l-Araf units at O-3 position. While CM-2 (Mw = 22,303 Da), composed of arabinose, mannose, glucose and galactose in a molar ratio of 25.46:1.45:1.00:6.57, was galactoarabinan (GA) with (1 → 5)-linked α-l-Araf backbone substituted by β-d-Galp units at O-2 and/or O-3 positions. Both polysaccharides exhibited potential inhibiting cancer and immunostimulatory activities in vitro, especially CM-1. These results provide a basis for further research on citron polysaccharides.

Structural Characterization and Immunostimulatory Activity of Heteropolysaccharides from Fuzhuan Brick Tea

Fuzhuan brick tea (FBT), one of the unique dark teas, has various health-promoting functions. In the present study, one polysaccharide fraction, namely FBTPS-2-1, was extracted and purified from FBT, and its structure and potential immunostimulatory activity were investigated. The results showed that FBTPS-2-1,one of typical heteropolysaccharides, was mainly composed of Gal, Ara, and Glc with little molar content of Man, Rha, GalA, and GlcA in molar ratio of 46.59:22.13:13.57:8.20:6.02:2.12:1.38 and molecular weight of 748 kDa. The backbone of FBTPS-2-1 contained →4)-β-d-Galp-(1→4)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →4)-β-d-Galp-(1→4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→, →4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→, →4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→4)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →3)-β-d-Galp-(1→4)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→3)-β-d-Galp-(1→ and →3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→. The linkages of branches in FBTPS-2-1 were mainly composed of α-l-Araf-(1→3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →5)-α-l-Araf-(1→3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →6)-β-d-Galp-(1→3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, α-l-Araf-(1→3,5)-α-l-Araf-(1→, →3,5)-α-l-Araf-(1→5)-α-l-Araf-(1→, α-d-Galp-(1→3,5)-α-l-Araf-(1→ and →5)-α-l-Araf-(1→6)-β-d-Galp-(1→. Furthermore, FBTPS-2-1 could increase the phagocytosis of macrophages and promote the secretion of NO and a variety of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, indicating noticeable immune enhancement activity. Thus, FBTPS-2-1 could serve as a potentially functional food to improve human health by modulating the host immunoreaction.

The amelioration of ulcerative colitis induced by Dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid with Radix Hedysari

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease with an unknown precise etiology. This study proves that Radix Hedysari (RH) ameliorates UC. Four RH extracts were used to ameliorate UC induced by 2,4-Dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid by 7 days intervention in agreement to preliminary studies. Compared to treatment with RH extracts, the RH ethanol extract (EE) was found to be more effective in ameliorating UC. With EE, the DAI were significantly decreased. Macroscopic and histopathological assessments suggest that the colon mucosa was repaired, the organizational structure of the colon had been rebuilt. The levels of MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA were significantly decreased (p < .01), the levels of T-SOD and CAT were significantly increased (p < .01). Moreover, the compounds in EE were analyzed by HPLC. The results show that EE can ameliorate UC, and its anti-inflammatory capability probably plays an important role. RH can act as a functional food and ameliorate UC. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In this work, the ameliorative effect of RH on UC was evaluated from multiple angles. There are two practical applications of this work. On the one hand, a new approach to ameliorating UC is provided by this work. In addition, UC patients have a new option for improving their symptoms. On the other hand, this work also provides information on how best to process RH for therapeutic use. In addition, we can utilize some compounds of RH that were once considered useless and reduce the waste of natural resources.

Effect of the structural characterization of the fungal polysaccharides on their immunomodulatory activity

The immunomodulatory effects of the four extracellular polysaccharides, namely WPA, WPB, AP2A, and TP1A, which were isolated from the fermented broth of Aspergillus aculeatus, A. terreus and Trichoderma sp. KK19L1, were investigated in vitro. WPA, WPB, AP2A, and TP1A were not toxic to RAW264.7 cells. These polysaccharides enhanced cell viability. WPA, WPB, AP2A, and TP1A showed increased immunomodulatory effect by strengthening the phagocytic activity and enhancing the release of NO, TNF-α and IL-6 from RAW264.7 cells. WPA, WPB, AP2A, and TP1A exhibited different immunomodulatory activity in vitro due to their different structural characterizations, and their immunoregulatory effects decreased successively in the following order: WPA, WPB, AP2A, and TP1A. The extracellular polysaccharides WPA, WPB, AP2A, and TP1A had potent immunomodulatory effects and could be used as potential immunomodulatory agents in the fields of functional food and medicine.

Structural characterization of polysaccharides with potential antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities from Chinese water chestnut peels

Chinese water chestnut peels are a kind of vegetable processing waste containing many active components such as polysaccharides, the structure of which remains unknown. To elucidate the structure of polysaccharides from Chinese water chestnut peels, two polysaccharides named WVP-1 and WVP-2 were isolated. WVP-1 (3.16 kDa) consisted of mannose (1.75 %), glucose (84.69 %), galactose (6.32 %), and arabinose (7.24 %), while WVP-2 (56.97 kDa) was composed of mannose (3.18 %), rhamnose (1.52 %), glucuronic acid (1.42 %), galacturonic acid (4.83 %), glucose (11.51 %), galactose (36.02 %), and arabinose (41.53 %). Linkage and NMR data indicated that WVP-1 was composed mainly of →4)-α-d-Glcp(1→ and a certain proportion of →3)-β-d-Glcp-(1→, including linear and branched polysaccharides simultaneously. WVP-2 was a pectin-like polysaccharide with →4)-α-d-GalpA6Me-(1→ units and the branch points of →3,4)-α-l-Arap-(1→, →3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→. WVP-2 exhibited stronger potential antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities than WVP-1 in vitro. These results provide a foundation for the further study of polysaccharides from Chinese water chestnut peels.

Formononetin in Radix Hedysari extract-mediated green synthesis of gold nanoparticles for colorimetric detection of ferrous ions in tap water

This study linked natural plant materials and nanomaterials; reporting an environmentally friendly, non-toxic and efficient method for the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using an ethyl acetate extract of Radix Hedysari (EAR). The components of the extract were identified using HPLC and it was found that formononetin accounted for more than 90% of the total contents. We predicted that formononetin in EAR plays a crucial role in green synthesis. Thus, formononetin was used as a standard reductant to synthesize AuNPs, and the result confirmed our prediction. The synthetic mechanism was also discussed in detail in the article. Moreover, EAR–AuNPs realized the sensitive and selective colorimetric detection of ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) among other metal ions, and were applied to spiked tap water with a low detection limit of 1.5 μM in a wide range from 10 μM to 500 μM. EAR–AuNPs were green synthesized using Radix Hedysari extract for the first time and were successfully applied in real sample detection.

AuNPs were synthesized using Radix Hedysari extract and used for the sensitive and selective detection of Fe²⁺.

Protective effect of polysaccharides from Radix Hedysari on gastric ulcers induced by acetic acid in rats

The potential anti-gastric ulcer effects of Hedysarum polysaccharides (HPS-50 and HPS-80) were explored in rats.