Sequential extraction, characterization and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk

A polysaccharide PFH-3a from Fritillariae hupehensis bulbus: Preparation, structural characterization and antioxidant activity in vitro

This study reports the structural characterization and in vitro antioxidant activity of a novel polysaccharide, PFH-3a from Fritillariae hupehensis bulbus (FHB) with a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of about 92.34 KDa, which exhibits a unique glycosidic linkage pattern that has not been previously reported in FHB. Structure of PFH-3a was elucidated through NMR spin system assignment based on comprehensive analyses of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, identification of sugar residue types by iterative matching against a self-constructed NMR database containing 1875 diverse sugar residues, monosaccharide composition analysis, 1D 1H qNMR analysis, and glycosidic linkage determination. It revealed that PFH-3a comprises a backbone of β-D-Xylp-(1→[3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→]n, with two branches α-L-Araf-(1→ and α-L-Araf-(1→5)-α-L-Araf-(1→ attached to position 3 of the main chain →3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→. In vitro bioactivity assays demonstrated that PFH-3a exhibits dose-dependent antioxidant activity, indicating its potential as a natural antioxidant. However, further investigation is needed to explore the in vivo efficacy and the underlying mechanisms.

Hemicellulose/PVA-based bioactive films for food packaging: Effect of the molecular weight of avocado pruning waste-derived hemicellulose on biocomposite properties

The rising demand for sustainable packaging and urgent need for circular strategies in the agri-food sector motivate exploring biopolymer packaging from agri-food by-products. This study presents an efficient method for utilizing avocado pruning waste (APW) by extracting hemicelluloses for polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA)-based food packaging films. Autohydrolysis and tangential-flow diafiltration produced hemicellulose fractions with varying molecular weights: >50, 50-8, 8-1, and 1 kDa. High Mw-hemicelluloses exhibited high antioxidant power (>70 %) owing to their rich ferulic and trans-cinnamic acids, while low Mw-fractions demonstrated superior antimicrobial capacity, with a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) against L. monocytogenes of 9 mg/mL and 14 mg/mL, respectively. Hemicellulose-enriched PVA-based films displayed heightened antioxidant capacity (>40 %) and excellent UV-light blocking efficiency (>80 %) with minimal transparency loss (80 %). Low Mw-range fractions decreased water solubility (8.4 % and 7.6 % for 5 % <1 kDa and 8-1 kDa films, respectively) enhancing water absorption properties (swelling degree of 766 % for 5 % <1 kDa and 992 % for 10 % 8-1 kDa films, respectively), whereas high Mw-range fractions strengthened mechanical properties and biodegradability (67 % and 59 % improvement, respectively). The differential effects of APW-derived hemicelluloses on PVA films underscore their potential as bio-based polymer source for the packaging industry, showing improved mechanical and bioactive properties.

Biopolymers from Sugar Beet Molasses: Isolation, Characterization, and Bioactive Properties

Utilizing the natural biological properties of plant byproducts for a variety of applications presents the opportunity to combine nature's benefits with sustainable innovation. For this study, sugar beet molasses polymer (SBMP) was isolated from a byproduct of sugar beet processing. The SBMP was analyzed to determine its suitability for potential uses in biomedicine, cosmetics, and antimicrobial coatings. To determine whether the SBMP was indeed a polymer, MALDI-TOF MS was performed. The chemical composition of the SBMP was characterized using XPS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FTIR. The characterization concluded that the SBMP contains phenolic and hydroxide groups. The presence of these groups was further supported by the SBMP's high antioxidant activity (∼80% RSA). The SBMP also demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Rhodococcus erythropolis (∼80% GI at 1 mg/mg SBMP), Escherichia coli (∼80% GI at 1 mg/mg SBMP), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (∼38% GI at 1 mg/mg SBMP). Additionally, the SBMP showed no toxicity to human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) at concentrations up to 0.5 mg/mL and supported healthy cellular growth. Due to its strong antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, SBMP could be used in a variety of biomedical, cosmetic, and coating applications.

Microwave-assisted extraction of dandelion root polysaccharides: Extraction process optimization, purification, structural characterization, and analysis of antioxidant activity

This study aimed to establish a microwave-assisted method (MAE) for the efficient extraction of polysaccharides from dandelion roots. This study investigated the molecular structure and bioactivity of the polysaccharides from dandelion roots. Extraction conditions were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The microwave extraction conditions were set to an extraction time of 42 min, an extraction temperature of 80 °C, and a solid-liquid ratio (g/mL) of 1:33. Under the optimized conditions, the highest dandelion root polysaccharides (DRP) yield was achieved (24.85 ± 0.457 %). Water-pure DRP (DRPw) and NaCl-pure DRP (DRPs) were purified by activated carbon decolorization and DEAE fiber column chromatography. The molecular weights of DRPw and DRPs were 8653 Da and 5930 Da, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses confirmed the existence of α- and β-pyranose in DRPw and DRPs. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that DRPw and DRPs were semi-crystalline substances with irregular shapes and rough surfaces. Bioactivity assays revealed the good antioxidant activities of DRPw and DRPs. The present study provides useful information about DRP as natural antioxidants for the benefit of food.

Structural characterization and immunomodulatory activity of an exopolysaccharide isolated from Bifidobacterium adolescentis

Bifidobacterium adolescentis is a key probiotic that has been proven to possess various bioactivities. A water-soluble heteropolysaccharide (BEP-1A) was isolated from the probiotic and systematically investigated for the first time. The molecular weight of BEP-1A was calculated to be 9.69 × 106 Da. Combined with monosaccharide composition, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, BEP-1A was composed of mannose, glucose and galactose at a molar ratio of 0.11⁚4.30⁚1.32. The backbone included β-1,2-Glcp, β-1,3-Glcp, α-1,4-Glcp, α-1,4-Galp, α-1,6-Galp and α-1,3-Manp, with the branch at the O-2 position of α-1,6-Galp, consisting of α-1,2-Galp and α-1-Glcp. Moreover, a filamentous structure of BEP-1A was detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). BEP-1A presented high thermal stability based on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). X-ray diffractometry (XRD) results revealed that BEP-1A was an amorphous molecule without a crystal structure. Furthermore, BEP-1A significantly increased the viability of RAW 264.7 macrophages, improved phagocytosis, and promoted the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). BEP-1A was also found to induce the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB subunit p65 and upregulate the phosphorylation of p65 and IκB-α, which suggested that the NF-κB pathway was involved in the BEP-1A-induced immunomodulatory effect. Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis for the development of BEP-1A as an immunomodulator in pharmaceuticals and functional foods.

Physicochemical and colon cancer HT-29 cell inhibitory property of homogeneous polysaccharide from Stropharia rugosoannulata

The development of active polysaccharides from edible mushrooms for antitumor drugs or functional foods has become a research hotspot. In this study, the physicochemical properties and monosaccharide composition of four homogeneous polysaccharides (CASP-0, CASP-1, CASP-2 and CASP-3) purified from alkali-extracted Stropharia rugosoannulata polysaccharides by DEAE-52 column were investigated, and the inhibitory effect against colon cancer HT-29 cell in vitro were explored. Results showed that four polysaccharides were homogeneous with molecular weights of 84.8 KDa (CASP-0), 11.1 KDa (CASP-1), 58.6 KDa (CASP-2) and 97.8 KDa (CASP-3). CASP-0 and CASP-3 contained glucose, mannose and galactose in molar ratios of 83.76:13.96:2.27 and 89.72:4.68:5.59, while CASP-1 and CASP-2 contained glucan. The four polysaccharides significantly reduced the cell viability of HT-29 cell in dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. With the increase of polysaccharide concentration, CASPs significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of HT-29 cell. The four polysaccharides induced HT-29 cell apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax protein, and down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 protein, suggesting that HT-29 cell apoptosis may be a mitochondria-mediated pathway. This study provides a theoretical basis for the potential application in medicine and functional food.

Characterization, physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity and hypolipidemic activities of a polysaccharides from Lachnum YM40

LEP-1a, a new polysaccharide fraction isolated and purified from Lachnum YM40, has a molecular weight of 24.29 kDa. LEP-1a's chemical composition investigation showed that mannose, galactose, and glucose made up the majority of its cosmetics. The methylation, nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier transform infrared investigations demonstrated that the (1 → 2)-β-D-Galp, (1 → 2,6)-α-D-Manp, glycosidic connections of LEP-1a were comprised of 1→)-α-D-Manp, (1 → 4)-α-D-Galp, (1 → 6)-α-D-Manp, (1 → 2)-β-D-Glcp, (1 → 4)-β-D-Glcp, (1 → 2)-α-D-Manp, and (1 → 3, 6)-β-D-Manp. LEP-1a has a linear microscopic morphology, as demonstrated by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and rheological property investigation. Moreover, the polysaccharide LEP-1a displayed bile acid- and cholesterol-binding capacities and inhibitory activity on lipase.

Polysaccharides from sea buckthorn - Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction, purification, structural characterization, and antioxidant activity analysis

This study employed a sophisticated approach consisting of ultrasound-assisted enzyme treatment to extract polysaccharides from sea buckthorn (SBP). The SBP extraction parameters were optimized, the following optimal parameters were identified: solid-liquid ratio of 1:32 g/mL, ultrasound duration of 26 min, ultrasound temperature of 52 °C, and composite enzyme concentration of 6000 U/100 mL, and the maximum extraction yield of SBP was 24.07 ± 0.15 %. The separation and purification of SBP resulted in the isolation of three fractions of polysaccharides (SBPR-1, SBPR-2, SBPR-3). The composition and structural characteristics of the SBPRs were identified. Furthermore, the SBPRs exhibited the characteristic absorption peaks of polysaccharides. Notably, the surface microstructures of the SBPRs showed significant variations. Moreover, all SBPRs demonstrated commendable thermal stability and in vitro antioxidant activity. This study serves as a reference for the development and application of natural antioxidants and provides a theoretical foundation for the environmentally friendly and effective extraction of SBP.

TCP80-1, a new levan-neoseries fructan from Tupistra chinensis Baker rhizomes alleviates ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium in Drosophila melanogaster model

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, for which available treatment drugs are severely limited. Natural polysaccharides show potential for UC prevention. Herein, we extracted TCP80-1, a polysaccharide with significant anti-ulcerative colitis (UC) activity, from Tupistra chinensis Baker for the first time. Structure analysis revealed that TCP80-1 (3190 Da) was a levan-neoseries fructan containing → 6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →1)-β-D-Fruf-(2→, →1,6)-β-D-Fruf-(2→, →6)-β-D-Fruf-(2→ and β-D-Fruf-(2→ residues as backbone, with →6)-β-D-Fruf-(2→, and β-D-Fruf-(2→ as side chains substituted at C-6. The protective effect of TCP80-1 on UC was further evaluated using a UC Drosophila melanogaster model. The results demonstrated that TCP80-1 could alleviate the UC symptoms by reducing colonic atrophy, enhancing intestinal barrier, and promoting the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) into intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Our findings provide important structural information about TCP80-1 and establish the foundation for the future progression and utilization of T. chinensis polysaccharide within the realm of UC therapy.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted deep eutectic solvent extraction, characterization, and bioactivities of polysaccharides from Eucommia ulmoides

For the valorization of Eucommia ulmoides (EU) for the functional food industry, the process of ultrasonic-assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) extraction of EU polysaccharides (EUP) was optimized by response surface methodology. After response surface analysis and experimental verification, the optimum extraction conditions were as follows: the molar ratio of choline chloride to oxalic acid was 0.9:1, the water content of DES was 40.28%, the ratio of material to liquid was 1:22 g/mL, the time was 90 min, and the power was 320 W. The extraction rate of EUP was 1.71%, which was higher than the extraction rate of 0.75% by ultrasonic water extraction under the same conditions, and the optimization effect was better. After DEAE column gradient elution and Sephadex G-75 gel column chromatography, the elution curve and a refined polysaccharide (EUP-1) were obtained. The IC50 values of EUP-1 against α-glucosidase and α-amylase were 0.091 and 0.011 mg/mL. The IC50 values of EUP-1 on DPPH and ABTS·+ scavenging were 0.065 and 0.065 mg/mL. The monosaccharide composition of EUP-1 was analyzed as mannose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, and galacturonic acid in the following molar ratio: 1.00: 1.28: 1.53: 1.88.

Primary Study on Effect of Extraction Methods on the Properties and Activities of Polysaccharides from Geum japonicum var. Chinense F. Bolle

Geum japonicum Thunb. var. Chinese F. Bolle, a traditional Miao medicine with significant clinical potential, is rich in polysaccharides. Despite its importance, there is a scarcity of research on the structure and activities of these polysaccharides. In this study, polysaccharides from Geum japonicum (GJPs) were extracted using various methods, including heated reflux extraction (HRE), acidic extraction (ACE), alkaline extraction (AAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), enzymatic extraction (EAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and deep eutectic solvents extraction (DESE). The extraction yield, physicochemical properties, structural characteristics, and antioxidant activities of these polysaccharides were comprehensively investigated and compared. Physicochemical analysis, including FT-IR spectral features and monosaccharide compositions, revealed that the GJPs are acidic heteropolysaccharides with both α- and β-configurations. DESE and ACE were the most effective methods for obtaining the highest neutral and acidic sugars with yields of 29.1%/64.2%, and 39.8%/55.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, AAE was preferable for extracting the polysaccharide-protein complex, achieving a yield of 14.21% and exhibiting superior thermal stability. In particular, DESE and PLE showed the best homogeneity with distinct molecular weights of 39.5 kDa and 17.6 kDa, respectively. In addition, biological evaluation indicated that DESE and MAE exhibited relatively stronger antioxidant activities as evidenced by DPPH and ABTS assays. Conversely, ACE demonstrated highest Fe2+ chelating ability but the lowest activity in DPPH and ABTS assays. Furthermore, the results of correlation analysis showed that the monosaccharides composition, protein and polyphenol content were significantly associated with the antioxidant activity. The choice of extraction method greatly affects the property and activity of G. japonicum polysaccharides. Polysaccharides extracted by deep eutectic solvents from G. japonicum show promise as natural antioxidants in the food and medicine industries.

An automatic LC-MS/MS data analysis workflow for herbal compound annotation with AutoAnnotatoR: A case study of ten botanical origins of Fritillaria species

BACKGROUND

Despite the widespread implementation of analytical hardware capable of recording large-scale datasets for botanical natural products, the data processing procedures for compound annotation remain a bothersome obstacle that demand a tremendous amount of time and expert knowledge.

METHODS

Herein, an automatic LC-MS/MS data analysis workflow with AutoAnnotatoR was introduced for the compound annotation of plant derived natural products, which has the merits of great efficiency, high accuracy, saving time and simplified process. This procedure enabled automatic matching of MS2 data with characteristic fragment ions, as well as MS1 data with compound libraries, which improves the accuracy of structural elucidation. Notably, the optimization of collision energy for each target ion was successfully performed for the first time, facilitating the acquisition of comprehensive fragmentation information.

RESULTS

The automatic analysis workflow with AutoAnnotatoR was successfully applied for the annotation of alkaloids from 10 botanical origins of Fritillaria species. Consequently, a total of 2684 chemical constituents were tentatively characterized, with 23 components being unambiguously validated by reference standards and 2434 being probable novel chemicals.

CONCLUSION

The entire data analysis procedure takes only a few hours, vastly improving analysis speed while assuring high accuracy. This method provides a powerful tool for the rapid and precise annotation of complex natural products. The workflow is publicly accessible on Github as an open-source R package called AutoAnnotatoR (https://github.com/anyaling2022/AutoAnnotatoR).

Physicochemical evaluation, structural characterization, in vitro and in vivo bioactivities of water-soluble polysaccharides from Luobuma (Apocynum L.) tea

Luobuma tea is made from the leaves of Apocynum hendersonii (Bt) and A. venetum (Ht) and has been used for a very long time in China and Japan as herbal tea. This study isolated water-soluble polysaccharides from the two species` teas. Physicochemical properties, structural properties, in vitro and in vivo antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities were determined for the first time. The results showed that the Bt and Ht polysaccharides with molecular weights of 31.21 and 49.11 kDa, respectively, composed of arabinose, galactose, rhamnose, glucose, xylose, fucose, and mannose. A dose-dependent nitric oxide production and interleukin-6 inhibitory effects were obtained. Also, they suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 mRNA in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Likewise, Bt and Ht have significantly reduced edema in the paws of mice after carrageenan injection. These results suggested that the Luobuma teas polysaccharides can be explored as potential antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.

Polysaccharides from pineapple peel: Structural characterization, film-forming properties and its effect on strawberry preservation

The growing demand for food safety has stimulated the development of new environmentally friendly food packaging. It is the development trend of food packaging in recent years by using natural polysaccharides as carriers and adding bioactive ingredients extracted from plants to prepare multifunctional films with antioxidant, antimicrobial and biodegradable properties. Herein, three polysaccharide components (PPE40, PPE60, and PPE80) from pineapple peel were extracted by ultrasound-assisted hot water extraction combined with gradient ethanol precipitation method, which all showed a certain scavenging activities against DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical. Then, the composite films were prepared by adding PPE40, PPE60 and PPE80 to chitosan. The results of SEM, FT-IR and XRD analysis showed that PPE40, PPE60 and PPE80 could interact with chitosan matrix. Furthermore, the addition of PPE40, PPE60, and PPE80 could improve the mechanical properties of the films, and promote the antibacterial activity of the films against B. subtilis, S. aureus and E. coli. Finally, the application of the composite films to strawberries showed that the addition of PPE40, PPE60 and PPE80 could delay the rapid decay of strawberries during storage. The results of this study showed that pineapple polysaccharides have a potential to be applied in the field of food packaging.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of polysaccharide from Portulaca oleracea L.: A review of phytochemistry and immunomodulatory effect

Portulaca oleracea L., a plant with both edible and medicinal properties, is traditionally valued for its diuretic, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, and anthelmintic functions in folk medicine. P. oleracea polysaccharide (POP), a pivotal bioactive component, has various biological activities. Notably, their immunomodulatory capabilities have emerged as a significant area of research. The extraction, purification, monosaccharide composition, structure characterization, and biological activity of POP have been extensively investigated to identify the active components and to clarify their pharmacological actions and underlying molecular mechanisms. It aims to delineate the pharmacological mechanisms and molecular pathways associated with these polysaccharides, thereby underscoring their therapeutic promise and nutritional significance. Furthermore, the review critically examines the current research landscape of POP, identifying gaps and proposing innovative perspectives to enrich the scientific discourse surrounding these bioactive compounds.

Effects of fermentation conditions on molecular weight, production, and physicochemical properties of gellan gum

Gellan gum has been widely used in many industries due to its excellent physical properties. In this study, the effects of different fermentation conditions on molecular weight and production of gellan gum were analyzed, and the optimized fermentation conditions for a high molecular weight gellan gum (H-GG: 6.42 × 105 Da) were obtained, which increased the molecular weight and yield of gellan gum by 201.4 % and 44.9 % respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that H-GG has similar characteristic absorption and semi-crystalline structures with the initial gellan gum (I-GG), and it was composed of glucose, rhamnose, and glucuronic acid showing no obvious changes in the molecular structure. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation revealed that the filaments of H-GG were slender, longer, and looser with larger pores. Importantly, gel properties analysis showed that the gel strength, viscoelasticity, and water-holding capacity of H-GG were better than those of I-GG, and the rheological results revealed that the H-GG is a pseudoplastic fluid with higher apparent viscosity and stable viscoelasticity at 20-70 °C. Therefore, the molecular weight and yield of gellan gum are significantly affected by fermentation conditions, and the obtained H-GG demonstrates improved gel and rheological properties.

Improved the physicochemical properties and bioactivities of oligosaccharides by degrading self-extracting/commercial ginseng polysaccharides

Degradation of polysaccharides is an effective method to improve the physicochemical properties and biological activities. In this study, self-extracting ginseng oligosaccharides (SGOs) and commercial ginseng oligosaccharides (CGOs) were compared with self-extracting ginseng polysaccharides (SGPs) and commercial ginseng polysaccharides (CGPs). The four saccharides were composed of different types and proportions of monosaccharides. And the molecular weight (Mw) size order was SGP > CGP > CGO > SGO. The SGO and CGO had better solubility with smaller particle size, 97.63 ± 0.42 % and 96.23 ± 1.12 %, respectively. Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy characterized the structures of four saccharides. It was found that the structural features of saccharides did not change after enzymatic hydrolysis. The results of bioactivities showed that SGO and CGO had better antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities. Compared with polysaccharides, oligosaccharides could significantly promote the proliferation and phagocytic ability of RAW 264.7 cells. Oligosaccharides induced RAW 264.7 cells to produce more NO and had better immune activity. Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis confirmed the bioactivities were negatively correlated with the Mw of ginseng saccharides. This study suggests that reducing the Mw of saccharides is an effective strategy to enhance their bioactivities.

seco-iridoid glycosides and flavonoid glycosides from the Gentiana olivieri Griseb and their anti-inflammatory activities

Three undescribed seco-iridoid glycosides, one undescribed flavonoid glycoside, and three known glycosides were isolated and identified from Gentiana olivieri Griseb. The structures of these compounds were determined through spectroscopic analysis and ECD calculations. Olivierisecosides NP (1-3) were identified as aromatic conjugated seco-iridoid glucosides, among them olivierisecoside N was representing a particularly rare subtype known as the morroniside seco-iridoids. The compounds 2, 3, 5, and 6 exhibited significant inhibition of COX-2 expression, particularly compound 5 which demonstrated the most pronounced inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 23.33 ± 0.51 μM. This study provides evidence for the potential development and utilization of G. olivieri as a source of anti-inflammatory components.

Deep eutectic solvent (DES)-assisted extraction of pectin from Ficus carica Linn. peel: optimization, partial structure characterization, functional and antioxidant activities

BACKGROUND

The pectin from Ficus carica Linn. (fig) peels is a valuable and recyclable constituent that may bring huge economic benefits. To maximize the utilization of this resource, deep eutectic solvent (DES)-assisted extraction was applied to extract pectin from fig peels, and the extraction process was optimized with response surface methodology.

RESULTS

When DES (choline chloride/oxalic acid = 1:1) content was 168.1 g kg-1, extraction temperature was 79.8 °C, liquid-solid ratio was 23.3 mL g-1, and extraction time was 120 min, the maximum yield of 239.6 g kg-1 was obtained, which was almost twice the extraction of hot water. DES-extracted fig peel pectin (D-FP) exhibited better nature than hot water-extracted fig peel pectin (W-FP) in terms of uronic acid content, particle size distribution, and solubility, but lower molecular weight and esterification degree. D-FP and W-FP had similar infrared spectra and thermodynamic peaks but differed in monosaccharide compositions. D-FP also showed good antioxidant capacities and exhibited better functional activities than W-FP.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that D-FP was of promising quality being utilized in food or medical industries and the optimal DES-assisted extraction method might be applied as a sustainable process for the effective extraction of bioactive pectin from fig peels with the excellence of low equipment requirements and simple operation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of different extraction methods on the structural and biological properties of Hericium coralloides polysaccharides

In current study, polysaccharides from Hericium coralloides were extracted by heat reflux, acid-assisted, alkali-assisted, enzyme-assisted, ultrasonic-assisted, cold water, pressurized hot water, hydrogen peroxide/ascorbic acid system and acid-chlorite delignification methods, which were named as HRE-P, ACE-P, AAE-P, EAE-P, UAE-P, CWE-P, PHE-P, HAE-P, and ACD-P, respectively. Their physicochemical properties, structural characteristics, and antioxidant activities were investigated and compared. Experimental outcomes indicated notable variations in the extraction yields, chemical compositions, monosaccharide constituents and molecular weights of the obtained nine polysaccharides. HRE-P demonstrated the highest activity against ABTS and OH radicals, CWE-P against ABTS, DPPH, and superoxide radicals, and UAE-P against DPPH radicals. In addition, UAE-P, CWE-P, and HAE-P exhibited better protective effects on L929 cells, when compared to the other obtained polysaccharides. Additionally, correlation analysis indicated that monosaccharide composition and total polyphenol content were two prominent variables influencing the bioactivity of H. coralloides polysaccharides.

Enhancing the Stability, Solubility, and Antioxidant Activity of Cinchonine through Pharmaceutical Cocrystallization

PURPOSE

Cinchoninze hydrochloride solves the problem of the low solubility of cinchonine, but it is unstable and susceptible to deliquescence. In this study, we designed and prepared cinchonine cocrystal salts or cinchonine salts with better stability, solubility and antioxidant activity than cinchonine.

METHOD

We successfully synthesized and characterized three cinchonine salts, namely, cinchonine-fumaric acid, cinchonine-isoferulic acid, and cinchonine-malic acid. The high humidity (92.5% RH) and high temperature (60°C) tests were conducted to determine the physical stability and hygroscopicity of cinchonine hydrochloride, cinchonine and three cinchonine salts. And the ultraviolet spectrophotometry was conducted to determine the equilibrium solubility and intrinsic dissolution rate of cinchonine and salts. Moreover, the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays determined the antioxidant activity of cinchonine and salts.

RESULT

Compared with cinchonine hydrochloride and cinchonine, all three cinchonine salts exhibited good physical stability over 15 days under high humidity (92.5% RH) and high temperature (60°C) conditions. While cinchonine and cinchonine hydrochloride are categorized as hygroscopic and deliquescent, respectively, three cinchonine salts are classified as slightly hygroscopic, meaning that they have a lower hygroscopicity than cinchonine and cinchonine hydrochloride. And three cinchonine salts had higher equilibrium solubility, faster intrinsic dissolution rates, and higher antioxidant activity in comparison to cinchonine. Moreover, they showed a "spring and parachute" pattern in the phosphate buffer (pH = 6.8).

CONCLUSION

Cocrystallization technology is a viable option for improving cinchonine's poor physicochemical qualities.

Investigation of natural deep eutectic solvent for the extraction of crude polysaccharide from Polygonatum kingianum and influence of metal elements on its immunomodulatory effects

In this study, natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) was used to extract Polygonatum kingianum crude polysaccharide (PKCP) and response surface methodology (RSM) was designed to optimize the extraction procedure. The immunomodulatory effect of PKCP and the influence of metal elements on its immunomodulatory effect were further discussed. The optimum conditions for PKCP extraction were obtained by RSM optimization: NADES were synthesized with a 1:2 choline chloride-glycerol molar ratio, then extracted at a liquid-solid ratio of 16.6 mL g-1 and water content of 31.2 % for 60 min at 60 °C. This method was used for the extraction of PKCP, and the extraction efficiency was 29.69 %, which was 2.5 times greater than the conventional method of water extraction. In the concentration range of 200-800 μg mL-1, PKCP could activate macrophages, promoting NO secretion and mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a dose-dependent way. NO secretion and cytokine expression were not affected when the metal elements were spiked to the equivalent of the metal elements contained in Polygonatum kingianum. When the content of metal elements was higher, the secretion of NO and the gene expression of iNOS were both decreased, which may affect the immunomodulatory effect of Polygonatum kingianum.

Structural characterization of a glycoprotein from white jade snails (Achatina Fulica) and its wound healing activity

Snail mucus is rich in proteins and polysaccharides, which has been proved to promote wound healing in mice in our previous research. The aim of this study was to investigate the effective component in snail mucus that can exert the wound healing potential and its structural characterization. Here, the glycoprotein from the snail mucus (SM1S) was obtained by DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow and Sephacryl S-300 columns. The structural characteristics of SM1S were investigated via chromatographic techniques, periodic acid oxidation, FT-IR spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy. Results showed that SM1S was a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 3.8 kDa (83.23 %), consists of mannose, glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose, xylose, arabinose, fucose at a ratio of 13.180:4.875:1043.173:7.552:1:3.501:2.058. In addition, the periodic acid oxidation and NMR analysis showed that SM1S contained 1,6-glycosidic bonds, and might also contain 1 → 4 and 1 → 2 glycosidic or 1 → 3 glycosidic bonds. Furthermore, the migration experiment of human skin fibroblasts in vitro suggested that SM1S had a good effect to accelerate the scratch healing of cells. This study suggested that SM1S may be a prospective candidate as a natural wound dressing for the development of snail mucus products.

The polysaccharides from seeds of Glycyrrhiza uralensis ameliorate metabolic disorders and restructure gut microbiota in type 2 diabetic mice

T2D and its complications are significant threats to human health and are among the most concerning metabolic diseases worldwide. Previous studies have revealed that Glycyrrhiza uralensis polysaccharide extract (GUP) exhibits remarkable antioxidant capabilities and inhibits alpha-glucosidase activity. However, whether GUP improves glycemic control in T2D is unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of GUP on glucose and lipid metabolism as well as the intestinal microbiota in HFD/STZ-induced T2D. The results demonstrated that GUP could significantly ameliorate hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and reduce liver lipid levels in T2D mice. Furthermore, it also enhanced the integrity of the intestinal barrier in T2D mice by reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and serum LPS levels. Interestingly, GUP treatment significantly lowered serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels, mitigating renal function deterioration and interstitial fibrosis. Additionally, GUP intervention increased the α diversity of gut microbiota, promoting beneficial species like Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, Romboutsia and Faecalibaculum, while decreasing harmful ones such as Bacteroides, Escherichia-Shigella, and Clostridium sensu stricto 1 in T2D mice. Overall, this study highlights the potential of GUP in alleviating complications and enhancing intestinal health in T2D mice, providing valuable insights into dietary strategies for diabetes control and overall health improvement.

Preparation, characterization and cytotoxicity assessment of a novel selenized polysaccharide from Morchella sextelata

Selenylation modification has been widely developed to improve the biological effects of natural polysaccharides. In this study, a purified new polysaccharide (MSP-4) was isolated from Morchella Sextelata, and selenized into SeMSP-4 using the HNO3-Na2SeO3 method. The selenium (Se) content of SeMSP-4 was 101.81 ± 9.90 mg/kg, and the molecular weight of SeMSP-4 was 1.23 × 105 Da. The FT-IR, XRD and AFM results showed that MSP-4 was successfully combined with the Se element. The structure characters of SeMSP-4 were analyzed by methylation analysis combined with 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. And, the radical scavenging test revealed that SeMSP-4 exhibited higher antioxidant capacities in vitro than MSP-4. The cytotoxicity analysis indicated that SeMSP-4 could dose-dependently inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 and HeLa cells, but did not show a cytotoxic effect on normal cells (HEK293). Furthermore, SeMSP-4 stimulation significantly increased the macrophage viability and enhanced NO production in macrophage cells. This study suggested that SeMSP-4 could be utilized as a potential selenium source with antioxidant, antitumor, and immunostimulatory activities.

Research progress in the preparation, structural characterization, and biological activities of polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicines are tremendous sources of polysaccharides, which are of great interest in the human welfare system as natural medicines, food, and cosmetics. This review aims to highlight the recent trends in extraction (conventional and non-conventional), purification and analytic techniques of traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharides (TCMPs), and the chemical structure, biological activities (anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, intestinal flora regulation, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, and other activities), and the underlying mechanisms of polysaccharides extracted from 76 diverse traditional Chinese medicines were compared and discussed. With this wide coverage, a total of 164 scientific articles were searched from the database including Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and China Knowledge Network. This comprehensive survey from previous reports indicates that TCMPs are non-toxic, highly biocompatible, and good biodegradability. Besides, this review highlights that TCMPs may be excellent functional factors and effective therapeutic drugs. Finally, the current problems and future research advances of TCMPs are also introduced. New valuable insights for the future researches regarding TCMPs are also proposed in the fields of therapeutic agents and functional foods.

Antibacterial activity of a polysaccharide isolated from Artemisia argyi leaf against Staphylococcus aureus and mechanism investigation

Abuse of antibiotics has led to excessive amounts of antibiotic residues in food and environment, thus enhancing pathogenic bacterium resistance and threatening human health. Therefore, searching and developing safe and green antibiotic alternatives are necessary. In this study, an Artemisia argyi leaf polysaccharide (AALP) fraction was extracted and analyzed. Chemical composition analysis showed that the carbohydrate, uronic acid, protein, and polyphenol content in AALP were 68.3 % ± 4.13 %, 9.4 % ± 0.86 %, 1.79 % ± 0.27 %, and 0.16 % ± 0.035 %, respectively. Chromatographic results suggested that AALP contained rhamnose, arabinose, glucosamine, galactose, glucose, xylose, mannose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid in a molar ratio of 9.26, 1.35, 1.18, 3.04, 48.51, 2.33, 31.26, 3.93, and 9.08; the weight average molecular weight, number average molecular weight, and polydispersity of AALP were 5.41 kDa, 4.63 kDa, and 1.168, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that AALP constituted the polysaccharide-specific groups of CH, CO, and OH. Meanwhile, AALP showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus in the inhibition zone assay, and the minimal inhibitory concentration was 1.25 mg/mL. Furthermore, AALP disrupted the cell wall, depolarized the inner membrane potential, and inhibited the activities of succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase in S. aureus.

In vitro antioxidative activity of Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don straw ethanolic extract and its effect on lipid, protein oxidation, and quality of Chinese-style sausage

Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don, which can be used for medicine and food, contains a variety of chemicals including polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoid, and others that have beneficial biological properties like antihypertension, bacteriostasis, and anti-inflammatory. The ethanolic extract of Fritillaria straw was obtained for this study using ultrasonic-aided extraction, and the amounts of total phenols and total flavonoids were 26.56 ± 1.36 mg GAE/g dw and 18.75 ± 0.80 mg RE/g dw, respectively. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry technology was utilized to identify 50 major chemicals in the Fritillaria straw extract (FSE). Meanwhile, the antioxidative activities of FSE were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power assays in vitro, which pointed out the antioxidative potential of FSE. Additionally, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% of FSE and 0.02% butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) + butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (1:1) were separately added to Chinese-style sausage to study their effects on the lipid oxidation, protein oxidation, and quality of the sausage at different storage times. The study found that the effect of adding 1% FSE on carbonyl content, total volatile basic nitrogen, and TVC of sausage could achieve the effect of the 0.02% BHA + BHT (1:1) group on the 35th day, and the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value and peroxide value of sausage were significantly lower than the control group. Therefore, as one of the candidates to replace synthetic antioxidants, the FSE can be used in the production of Chinese sausages, which has a positive effect on improving the product's quality and extending the shelf life. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The antioxidative activities of 50 main compounds were identified after the ethanolic extraction of Fritillaria straw. This Fritillaria straw extract was added to Chinese sausage, effectively inhibiting the oxidation of lipids and proteins as well as the decomposition of proteins. Obviously, the Fritillaria straw extract, one of the choices to replace synthetic antioxidants, may be useful for future meat processing, because of its positive impact on the product's quality and shelf life.

Structural characterization of polysaccharides after fermentation from Ganoderma lucidum and its antioxidant activity in HepG2 cells induced by H2O2

In this study, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC14917 was used to ferment Ganoderma lucidum spore powder. Two polysaccharides were purified from unfermented (GLP) and fermented (FGLP) Ganoderma lucidum spore powder. The chemical structure and antioxidant activity of the polysaccharides were studied. Finally, the effect of GLP and FGLP on the oxidative stress regulation pathway in HepG2 cells was explored. The results showed that the main structural characteristics of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides remained unchanged during the fermentation. However, the average molecular weight (M_w) of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides decreased from 1.12 × 10⁵ Da to 0.89 × 10⁵ Da. Besides this, the contents of mannose, galactose, and glucuronic acid increased, while the contents of xylose and glucose were decreased. In addition, the content of uronic acid was raised, and the apparent structure was changed from smooth and hard to porous and loose. In antioxidant studies, intracellular ROS and MDA contents in the oxidative stress model were decreased, and T-AOC content was increased under GLP and FGLP intervention. In the investigation of the regulation pathway, Nrf-1 gene expression was up-regulated, and Keap1 gene expression was down-regulated under GLP and FGLP intervention. The antioxidant genes NQO1 and NO-1 expressions were increased to activate the activities of antioxidant enzymes CAT, SOD and GSH-PA to resist oxidative stress. Compared with GLP, FGLP has a stronger regulatory role in this pathway, thus showing more potent antioxidant activity. This experiment is beneficial to the further utilization of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder.

Effects of degradation on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of carboxymethyl pachymaran

Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf is a well-known edible and medicinal fungus. The polysaccharide in the sclerotium of P. cocos was extracted and prepared into carboxymethyl pachymaran (CMP). Three different degradation treatments including high temperature (HT), high pressure (HP) and gamma irradiation (GI) were used to process CMP. The changes in physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of CMP were then comparatively investigated. We found that the molecular weights of HT-CMP, HP-CMP, and GI-CMP decreased from 787.9 kDa to 429.8, 569.5 and 6.0 kDa, respectively. Degradation treatments had no effect on the main chains of →3-β-D-Glcp-(1 → while changed the branched sugar residues. The polysaccharide chains of CMP were depolymerized after high pressure and gamma irradiation treatments. The three degradation methods improved the stability of CMP solution while decreased the thermal stability of CMP. In addition, we found that the GI-CMP with lowest molecular weight had the best antioxidant activity. Our results suggest that gamma irradiation treatment could degrade CMP as functional foods with strong antioxidant activity.

Effects of Extraction Methods on the Physicochemical Properties and Biological Activities of Polysaccharides from Polygonatum sibiricum

Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides (PSPs) have important biological functions, such as antioxidation, immunomodulatory, and hypolipidemic functions. Different extraction methods have effects on their structures and activities. In this study, six extraction methods, including hot water extraction (HWE), alkali extraction (AAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and freeze-thaw-assisted extraction (FAE) were used to extract PSPs, and their structure-activity relationships were analyzed. The results showed that all six PSPs had similar functional group compositions, thermal stability, and glycosidic bond compositions. PSP-As (PSPs extracted by AAE) exhibited better rheological properties due to their higher molecular weight (Mw). PSP-Es (PSPs extracted by EAE) and PSP-Fs (PSPs extracted by FAE) had better lipid-lowering activity due to their lower Mw. PSP-Es and PSP-Ms (PSPs extracted by MAE), which do not contain uronic acid and have a moderate Mw, had better 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-radical-scavenging activity. On the contrary, PSP-Hs (PSPs extracted by HWE) and PSP-Fs, with the Mw of uronic acid, had the best OH-radical-scavenging activity. The high-Mw PSP-As had the best Fe²⁺-chelating ability. In addition, mannose (Man) may play an important role in the immunomodulatory activity. These results indicate that different extraction methods affect the structure and biological activity of polysaccharides to varying degrees, and these results are helpful for understanding the structure-activity relationship of PSPs.

Extraction Optimization, Characterization and Biological Activities of Polysaccharide Extracts from Nymphaea hybrid

In this study, polysaccharide-rich Nymphaea hybrid extracts (NHE) were obtained using the ultrasound-assisted cellulase extraction (UCE) method optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The structural properties and thermal stability of NHE were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thermogravimetry-derivative thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) analysis, respectively. Moreover, the bioactivities of NHE, including the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, whitening and scratch healing activities were evaluated by different in vitro assays. NHE conveyed a good ability to scavenge against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and inhibit the hyaluronidase activity. NHE can effectively protect the HaCaT cells against oxidative damage by inhibiting the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the H₂O₂ stimulation assays and promoting the proliferation and migration in the scratch assays. In addition, NHE was proven to inhibit melanin production in B16 cells. Collectively, the above results seem to be the evidence needed to promote the potential of NHE to be regarded as a new functional raw material in the cosmetics or food industries.

Biosynthesis and physicochemical properties of low molecular weight gellan produced by a high-yield mutant of Sphingomonas paucimobilis ATCC 31461

Gellan gum (GG) is used in many industries. Here, we obtained a low molecular weight GG (L-GG) directly produced by M155, the high-yield mutant strain of Sphingomonas paucimobilis ATCC 31461, which was selected using UV-ARTP combined mutagenesis. The molecular weight of L-GG was 44.6 % lesser than that of the initial GG (I-GG), and the GG yield increased by 24 %. The monosaccharide composition and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopic patterns of L-GG were similar to those of I-GG, which indicated that the decrease in the molecular weight of L-GG was probably because of reduction in the degree of polymerization. In addition, microstructural analysis revealed that the surface of L-GG was rougher, with smaller pores and tighter network, than that of I-GG. L-GG showed low hardness, gumminess, and chewiness, which are indicative of better taste. The results of rheological analysis revealed that the L-GG solution is a typical non-Newtonian fluid with low viscoelasticity, which exhibited stable dynamic viscoelasticity within 20-65 °C. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of direct biosynthesis of low molecular weight GG during fermentation, which will reduce the manufacturing costs. Our observations provide a reference for precise and expanded applications of GG.

Antioxidant and DNA protecting activity of carboxymethylated polysaccharides from Cortex periplocae

In this study, polysaccharide from Cortex periplocae (CPP) was modified and three carboxymethylation modification polysaccharides (CPPCs) were obtained, and their physicochemical characteristics and in vitro biological activities were investigated. Based on the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) scan, CPPs (CPP and CPPCs) did not contain nucleic acids or proteins. However, the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum showed a new absorption peak around 1731 cm^-1. In addition, three absorption peaks near 1606, 1421, and 1326 cm^-1 were enhanced after carboxymethylation modification. Based on UV-Vis scan, the maximum absorption wavelength of Congo Red + CPPs exhibited a red-shift compared to Congo Red meant CPPs had a triple helix conformation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that CPPCs exhibited more fragments and non-uniform-sized filiform than CPP. Thermal analysis showed that CPPCs degraded between the temperature 240 °C-350 °C and CPP in the 270 °C-350 °C. In addition, the antioxidant and DNA protecting activities of CPPCs were significantly enhanced compared to CPP. Overall, this study demonstrated the potential applications of CPPs in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Extraction, purification, structural characterization and biological activity of polysaccharides from Fritillaria: A review

Fritillaria is a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) with a history of thousands of years. Fritillaria always contain saponins, alkaloids, amino acids, flavones, and polysaccharides. Among them, Fritillaria polysaccharide has a variety of biological activities. Its anti-inflammatory and antiaging activities are new study hotspots. The extraction, purification, quantitative determination, monosaccharide composition, and biological activity of Fritillaria polysaccharides have been examined for several years in an attempt to identify the active components and understand the pharmacological process. In this review, ample original publications related to the distribution, extraction, purification, quantitative determination, monosaccharide composition and biological activities of Fritillaria until 2023 were searched and collected by using various literature databases. Databases included the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP database, Wan Fang database, PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Web of Science database, as well as the classic Chinese medical books and PhD and MSc theses. The properties and outcomes of various extractions, purifications, quantitative determination methods, monosaccharide compositions, and biological activities of Fritillaria polysaccharides are discussed here. Additionally, we summarize the research potential of Fritillaria polysaccharide and identify promising research direction candidates.

Succinoglycan riclin relieves UVB-induced skin injury with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Excessive UVB exposure increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes oxidative damage and epidermal inflammation. Previous studies have identified that the succinoglycan riclin has potent anti-inflammatory properties. The current study aims to investigate whether riclin protects against UVB-induced photodamage. In vitro, riclin demonstrated excellent moisture-preserving properties, along with antioxidant potential by scavenging superoxide anions, hydroxyl and DPPH radicals. Riclin increased Col1α1 and Col3α1 expression in NIH3T3 cells, inhibited oxidation and melanin synthesis by B16F10 cells upon UVB irradiation. In vivo, topical application of riclin effectively attenuated UVB-induced skin damage in C57BL6 mice, which was characterized by erythema, epidermal hyperplasia, hydroxyproline loss and ROS production in skin tissue. Riclin suppressed skin inflammation by the elevation of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-β, and alleviated UVB-induced immune cell up-regulation. Moreover, treatment with a Dectin-1 inhibitor reversed the protective effect of riclin in THP-1 cells.

Cocrystal of phloretin with isoniazid: preparation, characterization, and evaluation

Phloretin (Phl) is a natural flavonoid compound with wide range of biological activities but demonstrates poor water solubility and limited pharmacological effects. In this study, one cocrystal of phloretin-isoniazid (Phl-Inz) was prepared successfully using the solvent evaporation method. The physical properties of cocrystal were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). The Hirshfeld surface analysis explained further interactions in the cocrystal. The solubility test showed that the solubility of the cocrystal was increased at pH 1.2 and pH 6.8 compared to that of the pure drug. The test in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion showed that the release of phloretin in the cocrystal was better than that in the pure phloretin. The results of the DPPH and ABTS scavenging activity showed that the in vitro antioxidant activity of the cocrystal was improved. The anticancer assay exhibited improved cytotoxicity in the Phl-Inz cocrystal as compared with the pure Phl.

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of a polysaccharide produced by Chaetomium globosum CGMCC 6882

In the present work, a Gynostemma pentaphyllum herb endophytic fungus of Chaetomium globosum CGMCC 6882 polysaccharide produced from tapioca starch (GCP-TS) with submerged fermentation was analyzed. GCP-TS contains rhamnose, glucosamine, galactose, glucose, mannose, and glucuronic acid in the molar ratio of 6.29: 0.55: 1.12: 22.93: 10.94: 3.54. Its weight-average molecular weight, number-average molecular weight and polydispersity were 4.73 × 10⁴ Da, 4.29 × 10⁴ Da and 1.103, respectively. Antioxidant results showed that GCP-TS had a concentration-dependent scavenging ability against DPPH radical, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, and ABTS radical. The corresponding scavenging capacities of GCP-TS aqueous solution at the concentration of 1.0 mg/mL were 45.11 ± 2.52, 43.58 ± 1.97, 36.27 ± 2.48, and 34.39 ± 2.06 %, respectively. Antibacterial activities of GCP-TS against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were enhanced with the increase in its concentration, and its bacteriostatic activity against S. aureus was stronger than that against E. coli.

Fingerprint profiling and gut microbiota regulation of polysaccharides from Fritillaria species

Few studies reported the quality evaluation and gut microbiota regulation effect of polysaccharides from Fritillaria species. In this study, polysaccharides extracted from ten Fritillaria species were compared and distinguished through multi-levels evaluation strategy and data fusion. Furthermore, the gut microbiota regulation effect of polysaccharides among different species was analyzed and evaluated. The fingerprint profiling of IR, molecular weight distribution of polysaccharides, chromatogram of partially hydrolyzed polysaccharides (oligosaccharides) and completely hydrolyzed polysaccharides (monosaccharides) were similar, and no exclusive signals were observed. However, the signal strength of functional group, oligosaccharides abundance and monosaccharides proportion showed obvious differences in inter- and intra-species. Glucan may be the main component of polysaccharides in Fritillaria species, CIRR derived from CIR, PRZ, DEL, TAI, UNI possessed higher total polysaccharides content, polymerization degree, oligosaccharides abundance (DP 2-4), and glucose content than the others. Meanwhile, data fusion model was established for identification of affinis and multi-original species, the accuracy of which proved to be 100 %. In addition, Fritillaria polysaccharides could increase the bacterial community richness and diversity, regulate the gut microbiota composition and possessed potential therapeutic effects on gastrointestinal diseases and nervous system diseases.

Preparation of nano-selenium from chestnut polysaccharide and characterization of its antioxidant activity

Chestnut is widely cultivated and has high nutritional value due to its richness in polysaccharides. In order to improve the antioxidant activity of chestnut polysaccharide, chestnut polysaccharide (CP) was extracted by ultrasonic-assisted water extraction and alcohol precipitation and purified by cellulose DEAE-52 exchange and Sephadex G-100 chromatography in this study. CP isolates were characterized by I₂-KI reaction, three-strand helical structure analysis, infrared spectrum analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance detection. The results showed that CP is a pyrylan sugar with triple helical structure and connected by α-glycosidic bonds, with sugar residues 1,4-α-D-Glcp, 1,6-α-D-Galp, 1,5-α-L-Araf, 1,4-α-L-Rhap, and 1,4-β-D-Glcp in the CP backbone. After purification, the branching structure, rod, and spherical structure were significantly increased, with reduced lamellar structure. The in vitro scavenging rates of CP at 10 mg·mL^-1 against DPPH, hydroxyl radicals, and ABTS were 88.95, 41.38, and 48.16%, respectively. The DPPH free radical scavenging rate of purified polysaccharide fraction CP-1a was slightly enhanced, and the other rates showed a small decrease. Selenized chestnut polysaccharide (CP-Se) was prepared using nano-selenium method. The selenization method was optimized and stable Se-CP was obtained. When the concentration was 5 mg·mL^-1, Se-CP had significantly higher scavenging abilities 89.81 ± 2.33, 58.50 ± 1.60, and 40.66 ± 1.91% for DPPH, hydroxyl radical, and ABTS radicals, respectively, than those of CP. The results of this study provide insight into the effects purification and selenization of chestnut polysaccharide on antioxidant activity, and also provide a theoretical basis for the development of chestnut polysaccharide for use in functional foods or health products.

Isolation, Structural Characterization, and Biological Activity of the Two Acidic Polysaccharides from the Fruits of the Elaeagnus angustifolia Linnaeus

Elaeagnus angustifolia Linnaeus is a medicinal plant and its fruit has pharmacological activity such as antiinflammatory, antiedema, antinociceptive, and muscle relaxant functions, etc. Two acidic homogeneous polysaccharides (EAP-H-a1 and EAP-H-a2) were isolated from the fruits of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. through DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-75 column chromatography, and the physicochemical, structural properties, and biological activities of the polysaccharides were investigated. Both EAP-H-a1 and EAP-H-a2 were composed of Rha, Ara, Xyl, Glc, and Gal with the molar ratios of 13.7:20.5:23.3:8.8:33.4 and 24.8:19.7:8.2:8.4:38.6, respectively, and with the molecular weights of 705.796 kDa and 439.852 kDa, respectively. The results obtained from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the polysaccharide nature of the isolated substances. Congo red assay confirmed the existence of a triple-helix structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that EAP-H-a1 and EAP-H-a2 had irregular fibrous, filament-like surfaces; and both had crystalline and amorphous structures. Bioactivity analysis showed that the crude polysaccharide, EAP-H-a1, and EAP-H-a2 had clear DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity, and could promote the secretion of NO and the phagocytic activities of RAW 264.7 and THP cells, which showed clear antioxidant and immuno-regulatory activity. These results indicated that Elaeagnus angustifolia L fruit acidic polysaccharides may have potential value in the pharmaceutical and functional food industries.

Characterization of Polysaccharides Sequentially Extracted from Allium roseum Leaves and Their Hepatoprotective Effects against Cadmium Induced Toxicity in Mouse Liver

Allium roseum is one of the medicinal plants of the Liliaceae family, widely used in the food industry and traditional medicine. It is known for its various biological properties, such as its antioxidant, antiviral, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. The present work aims to extract the polysaccharides from Allium roseum leaves and evaluate their antioxidant activities and hepatoprotective effects in vivo. Three polysaccharides from the leaves of Allium roseum were sequentially extracted in three media: water, chelating, and basic, respectively. They were characterized by size exclusion chromatography, gas chromatography mass spectrometry, FTIR-ATR, and NMR spectroscopy (1D and 2D). The different polysaccharides principally consist of glucose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose, xylose, and galacturonic acid. The antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effect of the extracts against Cd-caused oxidative stress in liver mouse were tested. Cd treatment, during 24 h, enhanced significantly lipid peroxidation by a high production of malondyaldehyd (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In contrast, catalase activity (CAT) was decreased after the same period of exposure to the metal. The polysaccharides pre-treatment improved the antioxidant defense system to a great degree, mainly explained by the modulating levels of oxydative stress biomarkers (MDA, SOD, and CAT). This research clearly shows that Allium roseum polysaccharides, especially those extracted in aqueous medium, can be used as natural antioxidants with hepatoprotective properties.

Isolation, structure elucidation, and biological activity of polysaccharides from Saussurea involucrata

The optimum extraction condition for the Saussurea involucrata polysaccharide (SIP) was determined to be a temperature of 80 °C, time 2 h, and a liquid-solid ratio of 30 mL/g with a yield of 11.37 %. An acidic homogenous polysaccharide, namely SIP-II was isolated from Saussurea involucrate through anion exchange and gel permeation column chromatography. The structure of the SIP-II was elucidated through the combination of HPLC, GC-MS, IC, peroxide oxidation, smith degradation, methylation, NMR analysis, it was mainly composed of arabinose, rhamnose, galactose, galacturonic acid, and glucose with the molar ratio of 19.85:20.30: 27.12:11.95:8.69 with a molecular weight of 237,570 Da. The glycosidic linkages of SIP-II mainly composed of →1)-α-L-Rhap-(2→, T-Araf, →1)-β-D-GalpA-(4→, →1)-β-D-Galp-(3,6→, →1)-β-D-Galp-(6→, →1)-α-L-Rhap-(2,4→, T-Galp, and →1)-α-L-Araf-(5→. Meanwhile, the structures were characterized through extensive analysis of UV, FT-IR, SEM-EDX, CD, XRD, and TG. SIP-II possessed a remarkable anti-inflammatory activity by effectively inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related mediators in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, and the anti-inflammatory response of SIP-II might be attributed to the regulation of the NF-κB, MAPK and JAK/STAT pathways. The results showed that polysaccharides from Saussurea involucrate could be a potential ingredient in the functional food and pharmaceutical industry.

Application of Nano-Inspired Scaffolds-Based Biopolymer Hydrogel for Bone and Periodontal Tissue Regeneration

This review's objectives are to provide an overview of the various kinds of biopolymer hydrogels that are currently used for bone tissue and periodontal tissue regeneration, to list the advantages and disadvantages of using them, to assess how well they might be used for nanoscale fabrication and biofunctionalization, and to describe their production processes and processes for functionalization with active biomolecules. They are applied in conjunction with other materials (such as microparticles (MPs) and nanoparticles (NPs)) and other novel techniques to replicate physiological bone generation more faithfully. Enhancing the biocompatibility of hydrogels created from blends of natural and synthetic biopolymers can result in the creation of the best scaffold match to the extracellular matrix (ECM) for bone and periodontal tissue regeneration. Additionally, adding various nanoparticles can increase the scaffold hydrogel stability and provide a number of biological effects. In this review, the research study of polysaccharide hydrogel as a scaffold will be critical in creating valuable materials for effective bone tissue regeneration, with a future impact predicted in repairing bone defects.

Extraction, Characterization, and Structure of a Novel Heteropolysaccharide from Lepidium sativum and Its Effects on Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats

The present study undertakes the extraction of a novel polysaccharide from Lepidium sativum (PLS) and the determination of its physicochemical composition and antioxidant properties, as well as its potential wound healing activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. This polysaccharide presented a lighter natural color, whose luminosity (L∗), red-green intensity (a∗), and blue-yellow intensity (b∗) were recorded at 63.26, 5.87, and 27.28, respectively. The PLS was structurally characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, UV spectrum, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), nuclear resonance magnetic (NMR), and high-pressure gel filtration chromatography. The FT-IR and UV spectra showed the characteristic band of polysaccharides. According to HPLC, the crude PLS is a heteropolysaccharide composed of glucose, xylose, and galactose. Results obtained by ¹H NMR indicated that PLS consisted of three monosaccharide residues with α and β anomers. This novel polysaccharide had an average molecular weight of 98.51 kDa and displayed potential antioxidant activities determined through three different assays: scavenging activity against 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, and reducing power. These results strongly support the beneficial effects of the PLS to accelerate wound healing in diabetic rats. Indeed, its application significantly increased wound contraction percentage (98 ± 1.11%) after 14 days of experiment. Furthermore, the histological assessment of the PLS-treated group demonstrated complete reepithelialized wounds by accelerating collagen synthesis. In general, the findings affirmed that PLS is efficient on wound closure in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.