Quantitative estimation of enzymatic released specific oligosaccharides from Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides using CE-LIF

Prospects of Ganoderma polysaccharides: Structural features, structure-function relationships, and quality evaluation

Polysaccharides, the primary bioactive compounds found in Ganoderma, are responsible for a multitude of biological activities. The bioactivity of Ganoderma polysaccharides (GPs) closely correlates to their physicochemical properties. Consequently, the accurate characterization and quantification of GPs are essential for the quality control of these compounds. Regrettably, the complex structural features of GPs have limited research on the relationships between their structures and bioactivities. In addition, a lack of appropriate quality assessment methods has impeded the regulation and application of GPs and related products. Therefore, it is essential to conduct extensive studies to develop reliable for quality control methods based on their pharmacological activities. This review aims to comprehensively and systematically outline the structural features, structure-activity relationships and quality control methods of GPs, thereby supporting their potential value in pharmaceuticals and functional foods. The insights presented in this review will significantly contribute to the research and potential applications of GPs.

Evolutionary research trends of polysaccharides from Polygonatum genus: A comprehensive review of its isolation, structure, health benefits, and applications

Polygonatum sibiricum, valued both as a medicinal and nutritional plant, has long been recognized for its health benefits. Increasing evidence highlights its polysaccharides (PSPs) as key components. As research into the structural characteristics and biological activity of PSPs continues to grow, there is rising interest in developing functional foods that harness their therapeutic potential. However, existing studies on PSPs remain fragmented, lacking a comprehensive framework for their application in functional food development and drug delivery. This review aims to fill that gap by systematically summarizing the purification, structural characterization, and diverse biological activities of PSPs. We also explore the significant potential of these polysaccharides in functional food development and their promising applications as natural, eco-friendly drug carriers. Furthermore, we address the key challenges and limitations in this field, offering insights into future research trends and opportunities for advancing PSPs in areas such as sustainable materials, functional foods, and therapeutic innovations.

Extraction, purification, structural characteristics, biological activities, modifications, and applications from Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides: A review

Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. is a respected medicinal and edible fungus known for its outstanding nutritional profile. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is viewed as a valuable medicinal resource offering various benefits, such as liver protection, spleen fortification, stomach nourishment, and improved digestion. The primary active ingredient, H. erinaceus polysaccharides (HEPs), exhibits diverse biological activities, including immunomodulatory, gastrointestinal protective, regulation of intestinal flora, anti-Alzheimer's, and antioxidant activities. These activities underscore the significant potential of HEPs for treating various diseases and developing HEPs-based pharmaceuticals. For instance, HEPs can exert immunomodulatory effects through the TLR4/NFκB/MyD88/MAPK/PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Additionally, HEPs achieve immunomodulatory, gastrointestinal protection, and anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects by modulating intestinal microbiota. This review systematically summarizes the past five years' research on the extraction, purification, structural characteristics, pharmacological properties, structure-activity relationships, structural modifications, toxicological effects, and potential applications of HEPs. It highlights the diverse biological activities of HEPs in vivo and in vitro and discusses structural modification methods and their broad application prospects in food, medicine, industry, and other fields. These studies will enhance the understanding of HEPs and promote further exploration and innovation in the field of biological activity research and the development of potential applications.

Research progress in methods of acquisition, structure elucidation, and quality control of Chinese herbal polysaccharides

The therapeutic efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine has been widely acknowledged due to its extensive history of clinical effectiveness. However, the precise active components underlying each prescription remain incompletely understood. Polysaccharides, as a major constituent of water decoctions-the most common preparation method for Chinese medicinals-may provide a crucial avenue for deepening our understanding of the efficacy principles of Chinese medicine and establishing a framework for its modern development. The structural complexity and diversity of Chinese herbal polysaccharides present significant challenges in their separation and analysis compared to small molecules. This paper aims to explore the potential of Chinese herbal polysaccharides efficiently by briefly summarizing recent advancements in polysaccharide chemical research, focusing on methods of acquisition, structure elucidation, and quality control.

Structure and anticoagulant activity of a galactoarabinan sulfate polysaccharide and its oligosaccharide from the green algae, Codium fragile

A polysaccharide, CZS-0-1, was obtained from the marine green algae Codium fragile using ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. Composition and characteristics analyses showed CZS-0-1 was a sulfated galactoarabinan consisting of arabinose, galactose and a small amount of glucose in a ratio of 9:2:1 with 21% sulfate content and a molecular weight of 810 kDa. Structural properties were determined using desulfation and methylation analyses combined with instrument analysis. The results showed that the backbone of CZS-0-1 was (1 → 3)-β-L-Arap. Its O-4 and/or O-2 positions showed sulfate modification; additionally, it had 10% of (1 → 3)-β-D-Galp branches at the O-4 position of the (1 → 3)-β-L-Arap. The galactose side chains also had sulfate modification at the O-4 or O-6 position. The structure of CZS-0-1 was further confirmed by Top-down analysis of the oligosaccharides after oxidated hydrolysis by mass spectrometry. CZS-0-1 exhibited significant heparin-like anticoagulant activity. It exerted anticoagulant effects by inhibiting FIIa and FXa activities with the presence of heparin cofactors. The anticoagulant activity of CSZ-0-1 was closely related to the molecular weight, and the reduction of molecular weight may lead to a significant decrease in the anticoagulant activity. This study demonstrated that the green algae, Codium fragile can be considered as a useful resource for bioactive polysaccharides.

Saccharide mapping as an extraordinary method on characterization and identification of plant and fungi polysaccharides: A review

Saccharide mapping was a promising scheme to unveil the mystery of polysaccharide structure by analysis of the fragments generated from polysaccharide decomposition process. However, saccharide mapping was not widely applied in the polysaccharide analysis for lacking of systematic introduction. In this review, a detailed description of the establishment process of saccharide mapping, the pros and cons of downstream technologies, an overview of the application of saccharide mapping, and practical strategies were summarized. With the updating of the available downstream technologies, saccharide mapping had been expanding its scope of application to various kinds of polysaccharides. The process of saccharide mapping analysis included polysaccharides degradation and hydrolysates analysis, and the degradation process was no longer limited to acid hydrolysis. Some downstream technologies were convenient for rapid qualitative analysis, while others could achieve quantitative analysis. For the more detailed structure information could be provided by saccharide mapping, it was possible to improve the quality control of polysaccharides during preparation and application. This review filled the blank of basic information about saccharide mapping and was helpful for the establishment of a professional workflow for the saccharide mapping application to promote the deep study of polysaccharide structure.

Structural characterization and mechanisms of macrophage immunomodulatory activity of a novel polysaccharide with a galactose backbone from the processed Polygonati Rhizoma

A purified polysaccharide with a galactose backbone (SPR-1, Mw 3,622 Da) was isolated from processed Polygonati Rhizoma with black beans (PRWB) and characterized its chemical properties. The backbone of SPR-1 consisted of [(4)-β-D-Galp-(1]9 → 4,6)-β-D-Galp-(1 → 4)-α-D-GalpA-(1 → 4)-α-D-GalpA-(1 → 4)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → 4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → 4)-α/β-D-Glcp, with a branch chain of R1: β-D-Galp-(1 → 3)-β-D-Galp-(1→ connected to the →4,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→ via O-6, and a branch chain of R2: α-D-Glcp-(1 → 6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ connected to the →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ via O-6. Immunomodulatory assays showed that the SPR-1 significantly activated macrophages, and increased secretion of NO and cytokines (i.e., IL-1β and TNF-α), as well as promoted the phagocytic activities of cells. Furthermore, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) analysis and molecular docking results indicated high-affinity binding between SPR-1 and MD2 with the equilibrium dissociation constant (K D) of 18.8 μM. It was suggested that SPR-1 activated the immune response through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling and downstream responses. Our research demonstrated that the SPR-1 has a promising candidate from PRWB for the TLR4 agonist to induce immune response, and also provided an easily accessible way that can be used for PR deep processing.

Research of saccharides and related biocomplexes: A review with recent techniques and applications

Saccharides and biocompounds as saccharide (sugar) complexes have various roles and biological functions in living organisms due to modifications via nucleophilic substitution, polymerization, and complex formation reactions. Mostly, mono-, di-, oligo-, and polysaccharides are stabilized to inactive glycosides, which are formed in metabolic pathways. Natural saccharides are important in food and environmental monitoring. Glycosides with various functionalities are significant in clinical and medical research. Saccharides are often studied with the chromatographic methods of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and anion exchange chromatograpy, but also with capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry with their on-line coupling systems. Sample preparation is important in the identification of saccharide compounds. The cases discussed here focus on bioscience, clinical, and food applications.

Potential therapeutic target for polysaccharide inhibition of colon cancer progression

In recent years, colon cancer has become one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, posing a great threat to human health. Studies have shown that natural polysaccharides have rich biological activities and medicinal value, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, and immune-enhancing effects, especially with potential anti-colon cancer mechanisms. Natural polysaccharides can not only protect and enhance the homeostasis of the intestinal environment but also exert a direct inhibition effect on cancer cells, making it a promising strategy for treating colon cancer. Preliminary clinical experiments have demonstrated that oral administration of low and high doses of citrus pectin polysaccharides can reduce tumor volume in mice by 38% (p < 0.02) and 70% (p < 0.001), respectively. These results are encouraging. However, there are relatively few clinical studies on the effectiveness of polysaccharide therapy for colon cancer, and ensuring the effective bioavailability of polysaccharides in the body remains a challenge. In this article, we elucidate the impact of the physicochemical factors of polysaccharides on their anticancer effects and then reveal the anti-tumor effects and mechanisms of natural polysaccharides on colon cancer. Finally, we emphasize the challenges of using polysaccharides in the treatment of colon cancer and discuss future applications.