Isolation, preliminary structural characterization and hypolipidemic effect of polysaccharide fractions from Fortunella margarita (Lour.) Swingle

Rethinking the impact of RG-I mainly from fruits and vegetables on dietary health

Rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) pectin is composed of backbone of repeating disaccharide units →2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→4)-α-D-GalpA-(1→ and neutral sugar side-chains mainly consisting of arabinose and galactose having variable types of linkages. However, since traditional pectin extraction methods damages the RG-I structure, the characteristics and health effects of RG-I remains unclear. Recently, many studies have focused on RG-I, which is often more active than the homogalacturonan (HG) portion of pectic polysaccharides. In food products, RG-I is common to fruits and vegetables and possesses many health benefits. This timely and comprehensive review describes the many different facets of RG-I, including its dietary sources, history, metabolism and potential functionalities, all of which have been compiled to establish a platform for taking full advantage of the functional value of RG-I pectin.

The Preparation and Structure Analysis Methods of Natural Polysaccharides of Plants and Fungi: A Review of Recent Development

Polysaccharides are ubiquitous biomolecules found in nature that contain various biological and pharmacological activities that are employed in functional foods and therapeutic agents. Natural polysaccharides are obtained mainly by extraction and purification, which may serve as reliable procedures to enhance the quality and the yield of polysaccharide products. Moreover, structural analysis of polysaccharides proves to be promising and crucial for elucidating structure–activity relationships. Therefore, this report summarizes the recent developments and applications in extraction, separation, purification, and structural analysis of polysaccharides of plants and fungi.

Hypolipidemic effect of polysaccharides from Fortunella margarita (Lour.) Swingle in hyperlipidemic rats

The objective was to investigate the hypolipidemic effect of polysaccharides from Fortunellamargarita (Lour.) Swingle (FMPS) in hyperlipidemic rats and the comparative relationship between in vitro and in vivo. After FMPS feeding, the body weight, liver and spleen index of the hyperlipidemic rats decreased significantly, in a dose-dependent manner. The content of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and serum non-esterified fatty acid decreased, and high density lipoprotein, and serum lipase significantly increased after FMPS feeding in hyperlipidemic rats. Notably, high-dose FMPS, exhibited effective hypolipidemic activity, as compared with that of simvastatin. Moreover, histopathological micrographs of hepatic tissue and blood vessel morphology indicated that the fat deposition in liver cells decreased, and the vascular endothelial cells were protected by FMPS. Furthermore, the activities of superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase were enhanced, and the content of malondialdehyde was decreased by FMPS feeding in the hyperlipidemic rats. A concentration-dependent response was observed. Similarly to the hypolipidemic effect observed in vitro, the hypolipidemic effect of FMPS in hyperlipidemic rats was achieved by decreasing the lipid content and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Thus, FMPS had a major role in regulating the lipid metabolism disorder in hyperlipidemic rats.

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

A new, more effective and environmentally friendly method involving a complex enzyme combined with ultrasonication was employed to extract and isolate three novel polysaccharides (HPS-MCs: HPS-MC, HPS-MC (50%) and HPS-MC (80%)) of Radix Hedysari. Compared with polysaccharides obtained using a traditional extraction method (hot water extraction, HPS-R), the yields and total carbohydrate contents of HPS-MCs were significantly higher. HPS-MC (80%) exhibited relatively strong immunomodulatory activity and a concentration-dependent dose-response relationship under cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced immunosuppressive conditions in mice models. To more comprehensively investigate the relationships between structural characteristics and immunomodulatory activity, HPS-MC (80%) was fractionated into three major homogeneous polysaccharide fractions (HPS-MC (80%)s: HPS-MC (80%)-1, HPS-MC (80%)-2, and HPS-MC (80%)-3). These three homogeneous polysaccharides had different mass percentages of monosaccharides species (rhamnose, arabinose, mannose, glucose, and galactose) by gas chromatography (GC) and different molecular weights and chain conformations by high-performance gel permeation chromatography coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering (HPGPC-MALLS), and promoted macrophage and splenocyte proliferation to different degrees. These findings indicated that HPS-MC (80%) had a prominent potential immune response, especially HPS-MC (80%)-2 and HPS-MC (80%)-3, and might be suitable candidates for functional foods or potential novel immunomodulators.

Alkaline Extraction, Structural Characterization, and Bioactivities of (1→6)-β-d-Glucan from Lentinus edodes

The purpose of this study is to develop a robust approach to obtain β glucans from Lentinus edodes and to characterize their structural and biological properties for sustainable utilization. The alkali extraction was optimized with an orthogonal experimental design, and a concise process for obtaining specific targeting polysaccharides from Lentinus edodes was developed in this study. After purification with a Q-Sepharose Fast Flow strong anion-exchange column, the monosaccharide composition, a methylation analysis, and NMR spectroscopy were employed for their structural characterizations. LeP-N2 was found to be composed of (1→6)-β-d-glucans with minor β-(1→3) glucosidic side chains. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high-performance gel permeation chromatography–refractive index–multi-angle laser light scattering (HPGPC-RI-MALLS) also revealed LeP-N2 exhibiting a compact unit in aqueous solution. This (1→6)-β-d-glucan was tested for antioxidant activities with IC₅₀ at 157 μg/mL. Moreover, RAW 264.7 macrophage activation indicated that the release of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were markedly increased with no cytotoxicity at a dose of 100 μg/mL. These findings suggest that the (1→6)-β-d-glucans obtained from Lentinus edodes could serve as potential agents in the fields of functional foods or medicine.

Fructus mori L. polysaccharide-iron chelates formed by self-embedding with iron(iii) as the core exhibit good antioxidant activity

Mulberry fruit polysaccharide (MFP) was obtained from Morus alba L. by a hot water extraction method, and mulberry polysaccharide fractions named MFP1, MFP2 and MFP3 were isolated by DEAE cellulose-52 column chromatography.

Comparative study on the physicochemical properties and bioactivities of polysaccharide fractions extracted from Fructus Mori at different temperatures

This study examined the effects of different extraction temperatures (30 °C and 90 °C) on the physicochemical properties and bioactivities of polysaccharides (MFPs-30-60, MFPs-30-80, MFPs-90-40, MFPs-90-60 and MFPs-90-80) extracted at same ethanol gradation (40, 60 and 80%).

Preparation of Bioactive Polysaccharide Nanoparticles with Enhanced Radical Scavenging Activity and Antimicrobial Activity

Because of their biocompatibility and biodegradability in vivo, natural polysaccharides are effective nanocarriers for delivery of active ingredients or drugs. Moreover, bioactive polysaccharides, such as tea, Ganoderma lucidum, and Momordica charantia polysaccharides (TP, GLP, and MCP), have antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor, and antiviral properties. In this study, tea, Ganoderma lucidum, and Momordica charantia polysaccharide nanoparticles (TP-NPs, GLP-NPs, and MCP-NPs) were prepared via the nanoprecipitation approach. When the ethanol to water ratio was 10:1, the diameter of the spherical polysaccharide nanoparticles was the smallest, and the mean particle size of the TP-NPs, GLP-NPs, and MCP-NPs was 99 ± 15, 95 ± 7, and 141 ± 9 nm, respectively. When exposed to heat, increased ionic strength and pH levels, the nanoparticles exhibited superior stability and higher activity than the corresponding polysaccharides. In physiological conditions (pH 7.4), the nanoparticles underwent different protein adsorption capacities in the following order: MCP-NPs> TP-NPs> GLP-NPs. Moreover, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical, and superoxide anion radical scavenging rates of the nanoparticles were increased by 9-25% as compared to the corresponding polysaccharides. Compared to the bioactive polysaccharides, the nanoparticles enhanced antimicrobial efficacy markedly and exhibited long-acting antibacterial activity.

The Antioxidative, Antiaging, and Hepatoprotective Effects of Alkali-Extractable Polysaccharides by Agaricus bisporus

The aim of this work was designed to investigate the antioxidant, antiaging, and hepatoprotective effects of alkali-extractable polysaccharides (AlAPS) and their three purified fractions (AlAPS-1, AlAPS-2, and AlAPS-3) from Agaricus bisporus in D-galactose induced aging mice. For in vitro antioxidant analysis, both AlAPS and its fractions exhibited moderate reducing power, Fe²⁺-chelating activities, and potent scavenging activities on hydroxyl and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. The in vivo results demonstrated that the polysaccharides, especially AlAPS-2, showed potential antiaging and hepatoprotective effects by enhancing the antioxidant status, decreasing serum hepatic enzyme activities, and improving the lipid metabolism. This study suggested that the polysaccharides extracted and purified from A. bisporus could be exploited as a potent dietary supplement to attenuate aging and prevent age-related diseases.

Hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic properties of pumpkin polysaccharides

Both hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia are major risk factors for the development of coronary artery diseases and atherosclerosis, and therefore therapeutic drugs must be developed for treatment of them. Pumpkin polysaccharides (PPs) are biomacromolecules with varying bioactivities. In this study, PPs were extracted with commercial thermostable α-amylase, and their hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic activities were evaluated. Twenty four KKAy mice were divided into two groups: control was fed with high-fat diet; while the PP group was fed with high-fat diet with the addition of PPs at the same time, for 6 weeks. PP diet reduced body weight gain, the levels of plasma insulin, serum triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blasting blood glucose in mice and improved the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and liver glycogen. Results indicate that PPs had high hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic activities and could be used as potential drugs for treatment of hyperlipidaemia and hyperglycaemia.

Macromolecular properties and hypolipidemic effects of four sulfated polysaccharides from sea cucumbers

The present study investigates the relationship between the high-order structure and hypolipidemic activity of four well-defined sulfated fucans from sea cucumber. The chain conformation, determined by a combination of AFM and SEC-MALLS-RI, indicate that fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (fCS) from Pearsonothuria graeffei (fCS-Pg) and Isostichopus badionotus (fCS-Ib), and fucoidan from P.graeffei (fuc-Pg) were assigned as a random coil conformation with polysaccharide chain outstretched, while I. badionotus (fuc-Ib) was assigned as a spherical conformation and exhibited high viscosity. Fuc-Pg and fuc-Ib with higher molecular weights had a greater impact in inhibiting pancreatic lipase activity in vitro. However, fCS-Pg, fCS-Ib and fuc-Pg with random linear conformation exhibited excellent hypolipidemic activity in Sprague-Dawley rats (SD rats) fed on high-fat diet (HFD), whereas fuc-Ib showed only a modest effect. Our results indicate that structural characteristics, including side branch and sulfation pattern can affect the chain conformation of polysaccharides, which determine their physicochemical properties and hypolipidemic activity.

Purification and Structural Characterization of a Novel Water-Soluble Neutral Polysaccharide from Cantharellus cibarius and Its Immunostimulating Activity in RAW264.7 Cells

Polysaccharide is one of the important active ingredients of Cantharellus cibarius. The aims of this work were to analyze preliminary characterization and to investigate immunostimulating activity of a novel water-soluble neutral polysaccharide named JP1, which was purified from the fruiting body of Cantharellus cibarius using DEAE-FF chromatography and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. The characteristics of JP1 were determined by HPGPC, FT-IR spectra, gas chromatography, and Congo Red Method. Immunostimulating activity of JP1 was investigated in RAW264.7 cells. Results indicated that JP1 consisted of L-Arabinose, D-Mannose, D-Glucose, and D-Galactose in a molar ratio of 1 : 1.06 : 1.95 : 1.17 with a molecular weight of 336 kDa. JP1 is nontoxic to RAW264.7 cells at this concentration range (62.5–1000 μg/mL). Furthermore, JP1 can promote mouse peritoneal macrophages to secrete NO and enhance the secretion of macrophages’ cytokines IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggested that JP1 could have potential immunostimulating activity applications as medicine or functional food.

Extraction and characterization of three polysaccharides extracted from Opuntia ficus indica cladodes

The chemical extraction and the characterization of polysaccharides from mucilage (MC), pectin (PC) and total pectic mucilage fraction (TFC) of Opuntia ficus indica cladodes as well as the evaluation of their antioxidant activities was investigated. The FTIR spectroscopic analysis revealed the presence of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups corresponding to polysaccharides. Uronic acid and the total sugar contents of PC were higher than those of TFC and MC whereas ash content of MC was considerably more important. In addition, the findings showed that all the samples had little protein content and low average molecular weight compared to the results mentioned in literature. Furthermore, MC reached not only the highest water (WHC) and oil holding (OHC) capacities (7.81g/g and 1.34g/g, respectively) but also the highest antioxidant properties (DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities, β-carotene bleaching inhibition activity and reducing power). However, PC had the strongest emulsifying and foaming properties. As for TFC, it had low WHC, OHC and emulsifying properties whereas it had higher foaming properties than MC and greater antioxidant properties compared to PC. These outcomes can encourage the use of PC as a surfactant and MC and TFC as natural antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical industries.