Structural studies on a sulfated polysaccharide from an Arthrobacter sp. by NMR spectroscopy and methylation analysis

Two Ascophyllum nodosum Fucoidans with Different Molecular Weights Inhibit Inflammation via Blocking of TLR/NF-κB Signaling Pathway Discriminately

The present study aimed to clarify the potential mechanism of fucoidans found in Ascophyllum nodosum on anti-inflammation and to further explore the relationship between their structures and anti-inflammation. Two novel fucoidans named ANP-6 and ANP-7 and found in A. nodosum, were separated and purified and their structures were elucidated by HPGPC, HPLC, GC-MS, FT-IR, NMR, and by the Congo red test. They both possessed a backbone constructed of →2)-α-L-Fucp4S-(1→, →3)-α-L-Fucp2S4S-(1→, →6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, and →3,6)-β-D-Galp4S-(1→ with branches of →2)-α-L-Fucp4S-(1→ and →3)-β-D-Galp-(1→. Moreover, ANP-6 and ANP-7 could prevent the inflammation of the LPS-stimulated macrophages by suppressing the NO production and by regulating the expressions of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10. Their inhibitory effects on the TLR-2 and TLR-4 levels suggest that they inhibit the inflammation process via the blocking of the TLR/NF-κB signal transduction. In addition, ANP-6, with a molecular weight (63.2 kDa), exhibited stronger anti-inflammatory capabilities than ANP-7 (124.5 kDa), thereby indicating that the molecular weight has an influence on the anti-inflammatory effects of fucoidans.

Structural characterization and SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory activity of a sulfated polysaccharide from Caulerpa lentillifera

Caulerpa lentillifera (Bryopsidophyceae, Chlorophyta) is an edible seaweed attracting great attention for its expansion of farming scale and increasing consumption in these years. In the present study, a sulfated polysaccharide (CLSP-2) was isolated and separated from C. lentillifera, and its chemical structure was elucidated by a series of chemical and spectroscopic methods. Among these methods, mild acid hydrolysis and photocatalytic degradation were applied to release mono- and oligo-saccharide fragments which were further identified by HPLC-MSⁿ analysis, affording the information of the sugar sequences and the sulfate substitution in CLSP-2. Results indicated that the backbone of CLSP-2 was constructed of →6)-β-Manp-(1→ with sulfated branches at C2, which were comprised of prevalent →3)-β-Galp4S-(1→, →3)-β-Galp2,4S-(1→, and minor Xyl. In addition, the virus neutralization assay revealed that CLSP-2 could effectively protect HeLa cells against SARS-CoV-2 infection with an IC₅₀ of 48.48 μg/mL. Hence, the present study suggests CLSP-2 as a promising agent against SARS-CoV-2.