Effects of Hyriopsis cumingii polysaccharides on angiogenesis, macrophage chemotaxis, proliferation and phagocytosis

Structure characterization and protective effect against UVB irradiation of polysaccharides isolated from the peach gums

Peach gum polysaccharides (PGPs) have attracted increasing attention for their potential biological properties and application in the food and cosmetic industries. This study aimed to investigate the structural characteristics and anti-photoaging activity of PGPs. The purification of PGPs resulted in two polysaccharides (PGP-1 and PGP-2). Results showed that PGP-1 and PGP-2 had a molecular weight of 4515.31 kDa and 15.02 kDa, respectively. Their structures were elucidated via GC-MS and NMR spectrum and proved to be an arabinogalactan. In addition, PGP-1 and PGP-2 do not have mucous-membrane irritation on chicken embryo CAM. Mainly, PGP-1 (1.5 mg/mL) significantly inhibits the expressions of MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-12) in the UVB-induced human immortalized epidermal cells (HaCaT), indicating that PGP-1 could reduce collagen loss caused by UVB irradiation. PGP-1 also can inhibit cell senescence and apoptosis by reducing p16, p21, and p53 protein expressions. Based on these findings, our data suggested that PGPs may be used to develop effective natural anti-photoaging ingredients to promote skin health.

Structural Characterization and Immunostimulatory Activity of a Homogeneous Polysaccharide from Sinonovacula constricta

Sinonovacula constricta has been widely used as a health food and medicine in China, Japan, and Korea. In the present study, a water-soluble polysaccharide fraction (SCP-1) was prepared from S. constricta by enzyme-assisted extraction and purification of chromatography with DEAE-52 cellulose anion-exchange column and Sephadex G-100 size exclusion column. On the basis of the analytical results of high-performance liquid chromatography, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and NMR spectroscopy, SCP-1 was found to have an average molecular weight of 15.63 kDa and a linear backbone of (1→4)-linked α-D-Glcp residue with one branch, α-D-Glcp, attached to the main chain by a (1→6) glycosidic bond at every five α-D-Glcp units. Furthermore, it was found that SCP-1 could significantly increase the viability of macrophages, enhance the capability of macrophage phagocytosis, increase the activity of acid phosphatase, and promote the production of nitric oxide, mouse tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, mouse interferon (IFN)-γ, and mouse interleukin (IL)-1β. The results suggest that SCP-1 possesses potent immunomodulating effect and may be explored as a potential biological response modifier.