Structural Characterization and Neurotrophic Activity Study of a Polysaccharide Isolated fromCampanumoea javanica

Structure and properties of acidic polysaccharides isolated from Massa Medicata Fermentata: Neuroprotective and antioxidant activity

Massa Medicata Fermentata (MMF) is a fermented food with therapeutic effects. Previous studies suggested that after stir-frying, the uronic acid content in MMF crude polysaccharides increases, and the pH value decreases, which is caused by the change in acidic polysaccharides. However, the detailed physicochemical properties and structure-activity correlation of the acidic polysaccharides in MMF have not been fully explored. In this study, two acidic polysaccharides (SMMFAP and CMMFAP) were isolated from the MMF and its stir-fried product, respectively. Their structural characteristics and bioactivities were comparatively studied, and the structure-activity correlation was examined. Our findings revealed that the SMMFAP had a higher average Mw and higher Gal and Man content than the CMMFAP. Both the SMMFAP and CMMFAP were mainly composed of Xyl, Man, and Gal residues, whereas the CMMFAP had fewer linkage types. Additionally, the CMMFAP exhibited stronger neuroprotective activity than the SMMFAP owing to its higher content of 1,6-linked-Galp, while the SMMFAP exhibited better antioxidant activity, which might be related to its higher average Mw. Our findings suggest that acidic polysaccharides may be the active substances that cause differences in effectiveness between the sheng and chao MMF. Furthermore, the research qualified the SMMFAP and CMMFAP with different potential applications.

Isolation, characterization, trypsin inhibition, liver protective and antioxidant activities of arabinoxylan from Massa Medicata Fermentata and its processed products

Massa Medicata Fermentata (MMF) is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used in feed additives and human medicine. In this study, two neutral polysaccharides (SMMFP-1 and CMMFP-1) were isolated from two forms of MMF (sheng and chao MMF), and their structural characteristics and bioactivities were studied. The results showed that CMMFP-1 had higher average Mw compared with that of SMMFP-1. SMMFP-1 had a lower proportion of Ara, Xyl, GalA, and GlcA, but higher levels of Fuc, Gal, Man, and GulA. Compared with CMMFP-1, SMMFP-1 had a triple helix structure. SMMFP-1 had a layered structure, whereas CMMFP-1 had a curly layered structure. More glycosidic linkage types were found in SMMFP-1 than in CMMFP-1, and SMMFP-1 had a greater number of side chains. More importantly, SMMFP-1 showed better trypsin inhibition activity in vitro, liver-protective activity in vivo, and stronger antioxidant activity in vivo than CMMFP-1. Thus, arabinoxylans may be one of the active substances for different efficacies between MMF and its processed product. The results of this study facilitate the exploration of the correlation between the structural characteristics and biological functionalities of MMF arabinoxylans. Moreover, a theoretical basis is established for further study of the unique properties of arabinoxylans and their applications.

Thermosensitive hydrogel carrying extracellular vesicles from adipose-derived stem cells promotes peripheral nerve regeneration after microsurgical repair

Peripheral nerve injuries are commonly occurring traumas of the extremities; functional recovery is hindered by slow nerve regeneration (<1 mm/day) following microsurgical repair and subsequent muscle atrophy. Functional recovery after peripheral nerve repair is highly dependent on local Schwann cell activity and axon regeneration speed. Herein, to promote nerve regeneration, paracrine signals of adipose-derived stem cells were applied in the form of extracellular vesicles (EVs) loaded in a thermosensitive hydrogel (PALDE) that could solidify rapidly and sustain high EV concentration around a repaired nerve during surgery. Cell experiments revealed that PALDE hydrogel markedly promotes Schwann-cell migration and proliferation and axon outgrowth. In a rat sciatic nerve repair model, the PALDE hydrogel increased repaired-nerve conduction efficacy; contraction force of leg muscles innervated by the repaired nerve also recovered. Electromicroscopic examination of downstream nerves indicated that fascicle diameter and myeline thickness in the PALDE group (1.91 ± 0.61 and 1.06 ± 0.40 μm, respectively) were significantly higher than those in PALD and control groups. Thus, this EV-loaded thermosensitive hydrogel is a potential cell-free therapeutic modality to improve peripheral-nerve regeneration, offering sustained and focused EV release around the nerve-injury site to overcome rapid clearance and maintain EV bioactivity in vivo.

Polyacetylene and phenolic constituents from the roots of Codonopsis javanica

Chemical investigation of the roots of Codonopsis javanica resulted in isolation of 12 compounds, including one new polyacetylene, codojavanyol (1), one new phenolic glycoside, codobenzyloside (7), and 10 known compounds, (2E,8E)-9-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)nona-2,8-diene-4,6-diyl-1-ol (2), lobetyol (3), lobetyolin (4), lobetyolinin (5), cordifolioidyne B (6), benzyl-α-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), (Z)-8-β-D-glucopyranosyloxycinnamic acid (9), syringin (10), syringaresinol (11), and tryptophan (12). Their structures were elucidated by 1 D and 2 D NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses in comparison with the data reported in the literature. The stereochemistry of the C-2' position of 1 was identified based on time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. Among the isolates, compounds 3-5 were shown to have weak cytotoxicity toward three human carcinoma cell lines, including lung (A549), liver (HepG2), and breast (MCF7), with the induction of 41.4 to 55.6% cell death at the concentration of 100 µM.

Effects of Various Processing Parameters on Polyphenols, Flavonoids, and Antioxidant Activities of Codonopsis javanica Root Extract

The root of a ginseng-like plant named Codonopsis javanica is a valuable ingredient in folk medicine with diverse biological properties and has been used in treatments for various diseases, including leukemia, inflammation, and hepatitis. This study aimed to optimize various parameters related to the extraction process of C. javanica root (CJR) with respect to total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities of the obtained CJR extract. We first performed a series of single-factor investigations taking drying conditions and different extraction parameters such as material size, extraction solvent, solvent concentration, extraction temperature, material/solvent ratio, extraction cycle, and stirring speed as varying factors. Then, a response surface methodology procedure was adopted with a central composite design to optimize further the extraction process in order to maximize the TPC. We found that the use of convection drying at 70 °C for 8 hours gave the extract with the highest TPC and antioxidant activities. Optimal extraction parameters were found as follows: ethanol with a concentration of 56.0% as the solvent, material-to-solvent ratio of 1/38.0 g/mL, extraction time of 67.2 minutes, material size ≤0.5 mm, temperature 60 °C, through 1 extraction cycle, and with a stirring speed of 300 rpm. Under the optimized conditions, the experimental value for TPC was 2.9 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight (DW), which is reasonably close to the value predicted by the model (2.8 mg GAE/g DW). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid free radical tests of the CJR extract obtained under optimal conditions were 1042.3 and 299.0 µg/mL, respectively.

Immunomodulatory effect of polysaccharides from the extraction of Codonopsis javanica (Blume) Hook. f. et Thomson (Campanulaceae) roots in female rats

In this study, the crude polysaccharides of C. javanica (CJP) was obtained from Codonopsis javanica (Blume) Hook. f. et Thomson using hot water extraction method, which was separated and purified by DEAE-cellulose column and Sepharose CL-6B column. The structure of the purified component was preliminary characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). By examining the degree of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in mice and carbon particle clearance index, the immunomodulatory activity was clarified. The results showed that the extraction rate of CJP was 24.9 ± 0.5%. After purification, the refined polysaccharides component (CJP-2) was obtained. The structural characterization results indicated that CJP-2 was mainly composed of mannose, glucose, and galactose, and its molecular weight was 790 Da. Immunomodulation results showed that the low and medium levels of CJP significantly enhanced the degree of DTH in mice (P < 0.05). CJP can improve the clearance index of mice and enhance their charcoal removal function. The study indicates that C. javanica is a good source of polysaccharides, and CJP may be a new type of immunomodulator.

A fructan from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge showing neuroprotective and immunoregulatory effects

A novel polysaccharide, AAP70-1, was isolated from Anemarrhena asphodeloides for the first time. The primary structural analysis revealed that AAP70-1 was composed of glucose and fructose, had an absolute molecular weight of 2720 Da, and contained a (2→6)-linked β-D-fructofuranose (Fruf) backbone and a (2→1,6)-linked β-D-Fruf side chain with an internal α-D-glucopyranose (Glcp) in the form of a neokestose. To explore the potential factors responsible for the medicinally relevant bioactivities of A. asphodeloides, a biological assay was performed. Using flow cytometry analysis, AAP70-1 was experimentally shown to have neuroprotective effects, and it can prevent and ameliorate neurological damage via reducing apoptosis. The immunomodulation assay further revealed that AAP70-1 can significantly improve immune function by promoting phagocytic capacity and the secretion of cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α) in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that AAP70-1 has potential as a therapeutic agent for central nervous system diseases or as an immunomodulatory agent.

The protective effect of polysaccharide extracted from Portulaca oleracea L. against Pb-induced learning and memory impairments in rats

This paper studied the extraction of polysaccharide from Portulaca oleracea L. (POP) by hot water extraction and ethanol precipitation. Structural properties of the extracted polymers were determined. POP was composed of rhamnose, arabinose and galactose in ratios of 1: 2.34: 3.07 with a molecular weight of 1.55 × 10⁷ Da. The neuroprotective effect of POP on Pb-induced neuronal toxicity was then evaluated in vitro and in vivo test. Treatment with POP markedly increased the survival of PC12 cells and repressed the generation of reactive oxygen species following Pb exposure. In Morris water maze analysis, Pb exposure led to an increase in escape latency and a decrease in platform crossing times of rats in the probe test, which could be attenuated by POP treatment. Additionally, the Pb-induced loss of dendritic spine was recovered after feeding rats with POP at 600 mg/kg/day. These results indicated that Pb-induced cognitive impairments could be inhibited by POP.