Structural elucidation of a novel polysaccharide from Ophiopogonis Radix and its self-assembly mechanism in aqueous solution

The carrier function and inhibition effect on benign prostatic hyperplasia of a glucan from Epimedium brevicornu Maxim

Epimedium, a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used as a dietary supplement, contains polysaccharides and flavonoids as its main bioactive ingredients. In this study, a neutral homogeneous polysaccharide (EPSN-1) was isolated from Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. EPSN-1 was identified as a glucan with a backbone of →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, branched units comprised α-D-Glcp-(1→6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, β-D-Glcp-(1→6)-β-D-Glcp-(1→ and α-D-Glcp-(1→ connected to the C6 position of backbone. The conformation of EPSN-1 in aqueous solution indicated its potential to form nanoparticles. This paper aims to investigate the carrier and pharmacodynamic activity of EPSN-1. The findings demonstrated that, on the one hand, EPSN-1, as a functional ingredient, may load Icariin (ICA) through non-covalent interactions, improving its biopharmaceutical properties such as solubility and stability, thereby improving its intestinal absorption. Additionally, as an effective ingredient, EPSN-1 could help maintain the balance of the intestinal environment by increasing the abundance of Parabacteroides, Lachnospiraceae UGG-001, Anaeroplasma, and Eubacterium xylanophilum group, while decreasing the abundance of Allobaculum, Blautia, and Adlercreutzia. Overall, this dual action of EPSN-1 sheds light on the potential applications of natural polysaccharides, highlighting their dual role as carriers and contributors to biological activity.

Effect of ultrasound assisted H2O2/Vc treatment on the hyperbranched Lignosus rhinocerotis polysaccharide: Structures, hydrophobic microdomains, and antitumor activity

The effect of ultrasonic intensity (28.14, 70.35, and 112.56 W/cm2) on Lignosus rhinocerotis polysaccharide (LRP) degraded by ultrasound assisted H2O2/Vc system (U-H/V) was investigated. U-H/V broke the molecular chain of LRP and improved the conformational flexibility, decreasing the molecular weight, intrinsic viscosity ([η]) and particle size. The functional groups and hyperbranched structure of LRP were almost stable after U-H/V treatment, however, the triple helix structure of LRP was partially disrupted. With increasing ultrasonic intensity, the critical aggregation concentration increased from 0.59 mg/mL to 1.57 mg/mL, and the hydrophobic microdomains reduced. Furthermore, the LRP treated with U-H/V significantly inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. The increase in antitumor activity of LRP was closely associated with the reduction of molecular weight, [η], particle size and hydrophobic microdomains. These results revealed that U-H/V treatment facilitates the degradation of LRP and provides a better insight into the structure-antitumor activity relationship of LRP.

Effects of different chemical modifications on physicochemical and antioxidation properties of Lycium barbarum seed dreg polysaccharides

Recent studies have witnessed that chemical modification can improve the physicochemical and functional properties of plants' polysaccharides. Herein, we modified the natural Lycium barbarum seed dreg polysaccharides (LBSDPs) by sulfation (S-LBSDPs), phosphorylation (P-LBSDPs), and carboxymethylation (C-LBSDPs), and evaluated the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of their derivatives. Natural polysaccharides and their derivatives exhibited typical polysaccharide absorption peaks and characteristic group absorption peaks in FT-IR spectra along with maximum UV absorption. After modification, the total sugar and protein contents of the derivatives were decreased, whereas the uronic acid content was increased. Among the three derivatives, sulfated polysaccharides displayed excellent thermal stability. S-LBSDP and P-LBSDP showed the highest ABTS radical scavenging and reducing power while S-LBSDPs and C-LBSDPs showed better DPPH radical scavenging effect, and P-LBSDPs showed considerable Fe2+ chelating ability. Our data indicate that chemical modifications can impart a positive effect on the antioxidant potential of plant-derived polysaccharides.

In sight the behavior of natural Bletilla striata polysaccharide hydrocolloids by molecular dynamics method

Plant polysaccharides, distinguished by diverse glycosidic bonds and various cyclic sugar units, constitute a subclass of primary metabolites ubiquitously found in nature. Contrary to common understanding, plant polysaccharides typically form hydrocolloids upon dissolution in water, even though both excessively high and low temperatures impede this process. Bletilla striata polysaccharides (BSP), chosen for this kinetic study due to their regular repeating units, help elucidate the relationship between polysaccharide gelation and temperature. It is suggested that elevated temperatures enhance the mobility of BSP molecular chains, resulting in a notable acceleration of hydrogen bond breakage between BSP and water molecules and consequently, compromising the conformational stability of BSPs to some extent. This study unveils the unique relationship between polysaccharide dissolution processes and temperature from a kinetics perspective. Consequently, the conclusion provides a dynamical basis for comprehending the extraction and preparation of natural plant polysaccharide hydrocolloids, pharmaceuticals and related fields.

In vitro digestion properties of Laiyang pear residue polysaccharides and it counteracts DSS-induced gut injury in mice via modulating gut inflammation, gut microbiota and intestinal barrier

The aim of this study was to explore the dynamic changes in the physicochemical properties of Laiyang pear residue polysaccharide (LPP) during in vitro digestion, as well as its protective effect on the intestines. Monosaccharide composition and molecular weight analysis showed that there was no significant change in LPP during the oral digestion stage. However, during the gastric and intestinal digestion stages, the glycosidic bonds of LPP were broken, leading to the dissociation of large molecular aggregates and a significant increase in reducing sugar content (CR) accompanied by a decrease in molecular weight. In addition, LPP exerted the intestinal protective ability via inhibiting gut inflammation, improving intestinal barrier, and regulating intestinal flora in DSS-induced mice. Specifically, LPP mitigated DSS-induced intestinal pathological damage of mice via enhancing intestinal barrier integrity and upregulating expressions of TJ proteins, and suppressed inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB signaling axis. Furthermore, LPP decreased the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, and altered the diversity and the composition of gut microbiota in DSS-induced mice. Therefore, LPP had the potential to be a functional food that improved gut microbiota environment to enhance health and prevent diseases, such as a prebiotic.

Ultrasound-assisted complex enzyme extraction, structural characterization, and biological activity of polysaccharides from Ligustrum robustum

Ligustrum robustum is one of the traditional teas in China with a long history of drinking and medicinal use. Through Response surface optimization, the yield of polysaccharides extracted by ultrasonic-assisted complex enzyme (UAE-EN) method was increased to 14.10 ± 0.56 %. Neutral homogeneous polysaccharide (LRNP) and acidic homogeneous polysaccharide (LRAP-1, LRAP-2, LRAP-3) from L. robustum were purified. The molecular weights of them were 5894, 4256, 4621 and 3915 Da. LRNP was composed of glucose (Glc), galactose (Gal), arabinose (Ara) with molar percentage of 24.97, 42.38 and 30.80. Structure analysis revealed that the backbone of LRNP consisted of 1,5-linked α-Araf, 1,4-linked β-Galp, 1,6-linked β-Galp, and 1,4-linked β-Glcp with the branches of 1,2-linked α-Araf, 1,3-linked α-Araf, 1,3-linked β-Glcp and 1,6-linked β-Galp residues, some terminal residues of α-Araf, β-Glcp and α-Galp were also included. In vitro experiments showed that the four polysaccharides possessed excellent antioxidant, antitumor and hypoglycemic activities. LRNP possessed the protective effect against oxidative stress. The studies provide a basis for further exploitation of L. robustum.

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.

A Multi-Component Nano-Co-Delivery System Utilizing Astragalus Polysaccharides as Carriers for Improving Biopharmaceutical Properties of Astragalus Flavonoids

Purpose

Enhancing the dissolution, permeation and absorption of active components with low solubility and poor permeability is crucial for maximizing therapeutic efficacy and optimizing functionality. The objective of this study is to investigate the potential of natural polysaccharides as carriers to improve the biopharmaceutical properties of active components.

Methods

In this study, we employed four representative flavonoids in Astragali Radix, namely Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (CAG), Ononin (ON), Calycosin (CA) and Formononetin (FMN), as a demonstration to evaluate the potential of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) as carriers to improve the biopharmaceutical properties, sush as solubility, permeability, and absorption in vivo. In addition, the microstructure of the flavonoids-APS complexes was characterized, and the interaction mechanism between APS and flavonoids was investigated using multispectral technique and molecular dynamics simulation.

Results

The results showed that APS can self-assemble into aggregates with a porous structure and large surface area in aqueous solutions. These aggregates can be loaded with flavonoids through weak intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, thereby improving their gastrointestinal stability, solubility, permeability and absorption in vivo.

Conclusion

We discovered the self-assembly properties of APS and its potential as carriers. Compared with introducing external excipients, the utilization of natural polysaccharides in plants as carriers may have a unique advantage in enhancing dissolution, permeation and absorption.

Inherent molecular characteristics and effect of garlic polysaccharides on dough micro- and mesoscopic properties

Directional control of the process of doughs with nutrition fortification is challenging. Thus, this study aimed to develop non-starch polysaccharides that can modify the quality of flour products. Polysaccharides were extracted from three different garlic cultivars, evaluated for physicochemical properties and used to enrich doughs for microstructure and mesoscopic characteristics analysis. We assessed the moisture distribution, texture characteristics, thermodynamic properties, dynamic viscoelastic properties, protein structure, microstructure and molecular interaction of the doughs and demonstrated a relatively high molecular weight, lower steric hindrance of molecular chains and higher cross-linking ability with the dough network in the supernatant polysaccharide from Yunnan single-clove-garlic (SGSOS) fraction. These features of SGSOS fraction improved the rheological, thermodynamic, texture characteristics, and water distribution of doughs. These findings provide information on the use of garlic polysaccharides during the processing and manufacturing of foods to enhance their processing adaptability and qualities.

Purification, characterization and probiotic proliferation effect of exopolysaccharides produced by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HDC-01 isolated from sauerkraut

In this study, an exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing strain of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HDC-01 was isolated from sauerkraut, and the structure, properties and biological activity of the studied EPS were assessed. The molecular weight of the isolated EPS is 2.505 × 10⁶ Da. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results showed that the EPS was composed of glucose/glucopyranose subunits linked by an α-(1 → 6) glycosidic bond and contained an α-(1 → 3) branching structure. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the amorphous nature of the EPS. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the isolated EPS had a smooth and compact surface with several protrusions of varying lengths and irregularly shaped material. Moreover, the studied EPS showed good thermal stability, water holding capacity, and milk coagulation ability and promoted the growth of probiotics. L. plantarum EPS may be used as prebiotics in the fields of food and medicine.

Chemical basis and self-assembly mechanism of submicroparticles forming in chrysanthemum tea infusion

Submicroparticles are important components generally existed in chrysanthemum tea infusion, but their functionality, chemical composition, structure and self-assembly mechanism are unclear due to lack of suitable preparation method and research strategy. This study showed that submicroparticles promoted the intestinal absorption of phenolics in chrysanthemum tea infusion by comparison of chrysanthemum tea infusion, submicroparticles-free chrysanthemum tea infusion and submicroparticles. Submicroparticles efficiently prepared by ultrafiltration mainly consisting of polysaccharide and phenolics accounted for 22% of total soluble solids in chrysanthemum tea infusion. The polysaccharide, which was determined as esterified pectin with a spherical conformation, provided spherical skeleton to form submicroparticles. A total of 23 individual phenolic compounds were identified in submicroparticles with the total phenolic content of 7.63 μg/mL. The phenolics not only attached to the external region of spherical pectin by hydrogen bonds, but also got into hydrophobic cavities of spherical pectin and attached to the internal region by hydrophobic interactions.

Purification, structural characterization and antioxidant activities of two neutral polysaccharides from persimmon peel

Two neutral polysaccharides (PPP1-1 and PPP1-2) were purified from persimmon peel. PPP1-1 (21.84 kDa) was mainly composed of arabinose (22.92 %), galactose (21.09 %), glucose (35.13 %), and xylose (19.09 %), while PPP1-2 (10.42 kDa) mainly contained arabinose (32.98 %), galactose (20.81 %), glucose (26.86 %), xylose (10.46 %), and mannose (7.63 %). Methylation and NMR spectra analysis demonstrated that the backbone of PPP1-1 appeared to be →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →2,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, and →3,5)-α-L-Araf-(1 → residues with branches consisting of →3)-α-L-Araf-(1→, →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →3)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →4)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →4)-β-D-Xylp-(1→, →6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →4)-β-D-Manp-(1→, and α-L-Araf-(1 → residues. The main chain of PPP1-2 was composed of →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, and →3,5)-α-L-Araf-(1 → residues with branches consisting of →3)-α-L-Araf-(1→, →1,2)-α-D-Glcp-(6→, →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →3)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →4)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →4)-β-D-Xylp-(1→, →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, and →4)-β-D-Manp-(1 → residues and terminal of α-L-Araf-(1 → residue. PPP1-2 exhibited stronger antioxidant activities and better thermal stability than PPP1-1. Our results provided the foundation for further investigating the structure and biological activities of persimmon peel polysaccharides and highlighted their potential to become potential antioxidants in functional food.

Structural Characterization of an Alcohol-Soluble Polysaccharide from Bletilla striata and Antitumor Activities in Vivo and in Vitro

In general, Bletilla striata polysaccharides were mostly water-soluble. However, the structural property, immunomodulatory effects and antitumor activities of alcohol-soluble Bletilla striata polysaccharide were rarely reported. In this study, an alcohol-soluble Bletilla striata polysaccharide was firstly extracted, investigated the structural property and evaluated the antitumor activity in vivo and in vitro. Results showed that BSAP was a low molecular weight polysaccharide (2.29×10⁴  Da) and consisted of glucose, xylose and mannose (molar ratio: 2.39 : 1.00 : 0.21). Animal experiments results suggested that BSAP could effectively inhibit the expansion of H22 solid tumors, protect thymus and spleen, improve macrophages, lymphocytes and NK cells activities and enhance lymphocyte subsets proportion, presenting a better immunological enhancement effect in vivo. Additionally, the results of cell experiments showed that BSAP had obvious antitumor effect in vitro, including inhibiting the proliferation of H22 cells and inducing the apoptosis of tumor cells. These results would provide theoretical basis and new ideas for the further development and utilization of BSAP in the biomedical field.