Structure characterization and anticoagulant activity of a novel polysaccharide from Leonurus artemisia (Laur.) S. Y. Hu F

Chemical structure and immunomodulatory activity of a polysaccharide from Saposhnikoviae Radix

A new polysaccharide, named SP40015A01, was obtained from Saposhnikoviae Radix by water extraction, isolation and purification. SP40015A01 (9.7 × 105 Da) is composed of Rhamnose (Rha), Galacturonic acid (GalA), Galactose (Gal), and Arabinose (Ara) with the proportion of 1.6:85.6:5.8:7.6. The backbone of SP40015A01 is composed of 3-α-GalAp, 2-α-GalAp, 2,3-β-GalAp and 2,3-β-Galp, and branched at C3 of 2,3-β-GalAp, C3 of 2,3-β-Galp. Zebrafish experiments were used to explore the immunomodulatory activity of SP40015A01. Results showed that SP40015A01 could significantly improve the neutrophils density of immunocompromised zebrafish and reduce the content of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). This study demonstrated that SP40015A01 has significant immunomodulatory activity, which can improve the neutrophils density and reduce inflammatory factor content, suggesting SP40015A01 may be a potential immunomodulator in Saposhnikoviae Radix (SR) for treatment of hypoimmunity related disease. This study supplemented the research on the polysaccharide components in traditional Chinese medicine and provided a scientific explanation for the development and clinical applications of SR.

Protective Effects of Natural Polysaccharides on Intestinal Barrier Injury: A Review

Owing to their minimal side effects and effective protection from oxidative stress, inflammation, and malignant growth, natural polysaccharides (NPs) are a potential adjuvant therapy for several diseases caused by intestinal barrier injury (IBI). More studies are accumulating on the protective effects of NPs with respect to IBI, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, this review aims to represent current studies that investigate the protective effects of NPs on IBI by directly maintaining intestinal epithelial barrier integrity (inhibiting oxidative stress, regulating inflammatory cytokine expression, and increasing tight junction protein expression) and indirectly regulating intestinal immunity and microbiota. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying IBI development are briefly introduced, and the structure-activity relationships of polysaccharides with intestinal barrier protection effects are discussed. Potential developments and challenges associated with NPs exhibiting protective effects against IBI have also been highlighted to guide the application of NPs in the treatment of intestinal diseases caused by IBI.

Structural Characteristics of Crude Polysaccharides from 12 Selected Chinese Teas, and Their Antioxidant and Anti-Diabetic Activities

Twelve representative edible Chinese teas (Camellia sinensis L.) from six categories (dark tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea, yellow tea, and green tea) were selected in this study. Tea polysaccharides (TPs) were extracted with hot water, and their structural properties and biological activities, mainly antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities, were systematically evaluated. Results revealed that the extraction yields of TPs ranged from 1.81% to 6.38%, and Pu-erh tea polysaccharides had the highest extraction yield (6.38 ± 0.28%). The chemical compositions, molecular weight, and compositional monosaccharides of TPs varied among the six categories of tea. It appeared that all TPs were protein-bound acid heteropolysaccharides, and all TPs exhibited obvious antioxidant and anti-diabetic (e.g., α-glucosidase inhibitory and antiglycation) activities. Particularly, Pu-erh tea polysaccharides also contained the highest total phenolic and protein contents, and also exhibited the best antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities. Moreover, for the structural-function relationship, the heat map analysis found that total phenolic and protein contents in TPs were positively correlated with their antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities, indicating that the presence of phenolic compounds and proteins in the TPs might be the main contributors to their bioactivities. The conclusion from this study can help understand the structural-function relationship of crude tea polysaccharides.

The Chemical, Structural, and Biological Properties of Crude Polysaccharides from Sweet Tea (Lithocarpus litseifolius (Hance) Chun) Based on Different Extraction Technologies

Eight extraction technologies were used to extract sweet tea (Lithocarpus litseifolius (Hance) Chun) crude polysaccharides (STPs), and their chemical, structural, and biological properties were studied and compared. Results revealed that the compositions, structures, and biological properties of STPs varied dependent on different extraction technologies. Protein-bound polysaccharides and some hemicellulose could be extracted from sweet tea with diluted alkali solution. STPs extracted by deep-eutectic solvents and diluted alkali solution exhibited the most favorable biological properties. Moreover, according to the heat map, total phenolic content was most strongly correlated with biological properties, indicating that the presence of phenolic compounds in STPs might be the main contributor to their biological properties. To the best of our knowledge, this study reports the chemical, structural, and biological properties of STPs, and the results contribute to understanding the relationship between the chemical composition and biological properties of STPs.

Anti-platelet Drug-loaded Targeted Technologies for the Effective Treatment of Atherothrombosis

Atherothrombosis results from direct interaction between atherosclerotic plaque and arterial thrombosis and is the most common type of cardiovascular disease. As a long term progressive disease, atherosclerosis frequently results in an acute atherothrombotic event through plaque rupture and platelet-rich thrombus formation. The pathophysiology of atherothrombosis involves cholesterol accumulation endothelial dysfunction, dyslipidemia, immuno-inflammatory, and apoptotic aspects. Platelet activation and aggregation is the major cause for stroke because of its roles, including thrombus, contributing to atherosclerotic plaque, and sealing off the bleeding vessel. Platelet aggregates are associated with arterial blood pressure and cardiovascular ischemic events. Under normal physiological conditions, when a blood vessel is damaged, the task of platelets within the circulation is to arrest the blood loss. Antiplatelet inhibits platelet function, thereby decreasing thrombus formation with complementary modes of action to prevent atherothrombosis. In the present scientific scenario, researchers throughout the world are focusing on the development of novel drug delivery systems to enhance patient's compliance. Immediate responding pharmaceutical formulations become an emerging trend in the pharmaceutical industries with better patient compliance. The proposed review provides details related to the molecular pathogenesis of atherothrombosis and recent novel formulation approaches to treat atherothrombosis with particular emphasis on commercial formulation and upcoming technologies.