Advances on Bioactive Polysaccharides from Medicinal Plants

Natural polysaccharides regulate intestinal microbiota for inhibiting colorectal cancer

The gastrointestinal tract is an important part of the human immune system. The gut microbiome, which constitutes a major component of the gastrointestinal tract, plays a crucial role in maintaining normal physiological functions and influences the development, diagnosis, and immunotherapy of colorectal cancer (CRC). Natural polysaccharides can be extracted from animals, plants, and traditional Chinese medicines. They serve as an essential energy source for the gut microbiome, promoting probiotic proliferation and regulating the intestinal microecological balance. Moreover, polysaccharides exhibit anti-tumor effects due to their immune regulatory functions and low toxicity. This review focuses on discussing these anti-tumor effects in CRC, along with improving gut microbiome dysbiosis and regulating the tumor immune microenvironment, providing evidence for effective therapeutic strategies against CRC.

Polysaccharides from Platycodon grandiflorum: A review of their extraction, structures, modifications, and bioactivities

Platycodon grandiflorum (P. grandiflorum) has long been used as a food and traditional herbal medicine. As a food, P. grandiflorum is often transformed into pickles for consumption, and as a traditional Chinese medicine, P. grandiflorum clears the lung, nourishes the pharynx, dispels phlegm, and discharges pus. Polysaccharides are among the main active components of P. grandiflorum. Recent literature has described the preparation, identification, and pharmacological activity of these polysaccharides. Studies have shown that these polysaccharides exhibit a variety of significant biological effects in vitro and in vivo, such as immune stimulation and antioxidant, anti-liver injury, anti-apoptosis and antitumour effects. However, there is no systematic summary of the related research articles on P. grandiflorum polysaccharide, which undoubtedly brings some difficulties to the future research. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively describe research progress on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, modification, and biological activity of P. grandiflorum polysaccharides. The shortcomings of recent research are summarized, further research on their biological activity is proposed to provide new reference value for the application of P. grandiflorum polysaccharides in drugs and health products in the future.

Advance in Hippophae rhamnoides polysaccharides: Extraction, structural characteristics, pharmacological activity, structure-activity relationship and application

Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea buckthorn) is an excellent medicinal and edible plant owing to its high nutritional and health-promoting properties. As an important bioactive component, H. rhamnoides polysaccharides (HRPs) have aroused wide attention due to their various pharmacological activities, including hepatoprotective, immuno-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, anti-obesity, and so on. Nevertheless, the development and utilization of HRP-derived functional food and medicines are constrained to a lack of comprehensive understanding of the structure-activity relationship, application, and safety of HRPs. This review systematically summarizes the advancements on the extraction, purification, structural characteristics, pharmacological activities and mechanisms of HRPs. The structure-activity relationship, safety evaluation, application, as well as the shortcomings of current research and promising prospects are also highlighted. This article aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of HRPs and lay a groundwork for future research and utilization of HRPs as multifunctional biomaterials and therapeutic agents.

Anticancer Mechanism of Astragalus Polysaccharide and Its Application in Cancer Immunotherapy

Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) derived from A. membranaceus plays a crucial role in traditional Chinese medicine. These polysaccharides have shown antitumor effects and are considered safe. Thus, they have become increasingly important in cancer immunotherapy. APS can limit the spread of cancer by influencing immune cells, promoting cell death, triggering cancer cell autophagy, and impacting the tumor microenvironment. When used in combination with other therapies, APS can enhance treatment outcomes and reduce toxicity and side effects. APS combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors, relay cellular immunotherapy, and cancer vaccines have broadened the application of cancer immunotherapy and enhanced treatment effectiveness. By summarizing the research on APS in cancer immunotherapy over the past two decades, this review elaborates on the anticancer mechanism of APS and its use in cancer immunotherapy and clinical trials. Considering the multiple roles of APS, this review emphasizes the importance of using APS as an adjunct to cancer immunotherapy and compares other polysaccharides with APS. This discussion provides insights into the specific mechanism of action of APS, reveals the molecular targets of APS for developing effective clinical strategies, and highlights the wide application of APS in clinical cancer therapy in the future.

Research progress in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease with natural polysaccharides and related structure-activity relationships

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises a group of highly prevalent and chronic inflammatory intestinal tract diseases caused by multiple factors. Despite extensive research into the causes of the disease, IBD's pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. Moreover, side effects of current IBD therapies restrict their long-term clinical use. In contrast, natural polysaccharides exert beneficial anti-IBD effects and offer advantages over current anti-IBD drugs, including enhanced safety and straightforward isolation from abundant and reliable sources, and thus may serve as components of functional foods and health products for use in IBD prevention and treatment. However, few reviews have explored natural polysaccharides with anti-IBD activities or the relationship between polysaccharide conformation and anti-IBD biological activity. Therefore, this review aims to summarize anti-IBD activities and potential clinical applications of polysaccharides isolated from plant, animal, microorganismal, and algal sources, while also exploring the relationship between polysaccharide conformation and anti-IBD bioactivity for the first time. Furthermore, potential mechanisms underlying polysaccharide anti-IBD effects are summarized, including intestinal microbiota modulation, intestinal inflammation alleviation, and intestinal barrier protection from IBD-induced damage. Ultimately, this review provides a theoretical foundation and valuable insights to guide the development of natural polysaccharide-containing functional foods and nutraceuticals for use as dietary IBD therapies.

Medicinal and edible polysaccharides from ancient plants: extraction, isolation, purification, structure, biological activity and market trends of sea buckthorn polysaccharides

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae L.), a well-known medicinal and edible plant, is known as the "king of VC". Due to its excellent medicinal and nutritional value, it has been developed into a variety of functional products. Sea buckthorn polysaccharides (SPs), one of the important and representative active components, have attracted the attention of researchers in the fields of health food and medicine because of their potential beneficial effects on human health. Recently, SPs have shown various biological activities in in vitro and in vivo studies, such as anti-obesity, immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue, and hepatoprotective activities. This review provides a comprehensive and systematic summary of the extraction and purification methods, structural characterization, biological activity, and market trends of SPs to provide a theoretical basis for their therapeutic potential and sanitarian functions. A future scope is needed to further explore the medicinal and nutritional value of SPs and incorporate them in functional food products.

Research progress and future development potential of Flammulina velutipes polysaccharides in the preparation process, structure analysis, biology, and pharmacology: A review

In recent years, Flammulina velutipes (F. velutipes) has attracted consequential attention in various research fields due to its rich composition of proteins, vitamins, amino acids, polysaccharides, and polyphenols. F. velutipes polysaccharides (FVPs) are considered as key bioactive components of F. velutipes, demonstrating multiple physiological activities, including immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Moreover, they offer health benefits such as antioxidant and anti-aging properties, which have exceptionally valuable clinical applications. Polysaccharides derived from different sources exhibit a wide range of biomedical functions and distinct biological activities. The varied biological functions of polysaccharides, coupled with their extensive application in functional foods and clinical applications, have prompted a heightened focus on polysaccharide research. Additionally, the extraction, deproteinization, and purification of FVPs are fundamental to investigate the structure and biological activities of polysaccharides. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of the extraction, deproteinization, purification, characterization, and structural elucidation of FVPs. Furthermore, the biological activities and mechanisms of FVPs have been further explored through in vivo and in vitro experiments. This review aims to provide a theoretical foundation and guide future research and development of FVPs.

Physicochemical Characterization, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity Evaluation of an Acidic Polysaccharide from Alpinia officinarum Hance

AHP-3a, a triple-helix acidic polysaccharide isolated from Alpinia officinarum Hance, was evaluated for its anticancer and antioxidant activities. The physicochemical properties and structure of AHP-3a were investigated through gel permeation chromatography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The weight-average molecular weight of AHP-3a was 484 kDa, with the molar percentages of GalA, Gal, Ara, Xyl, Rha, Glc, GlcA, and Fuc being 35.4%, 21.4%, 16.9%, 11.8%, 8.9%, 3.1%, 2.0%, and 0.5%, respectively. Based on the results of the monosaccharide composition analysis, methylation analysis, and NMR spectroscopy, the main chain of AHP-3a was presumed to consist of (1→4)-α-D-GalpA and (1→2)-α-L-Rhap residues, which is a pectic polysaccharide with homogalacturonan (HG) and rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) structural domains containing side chains. In addition, the results of the antioxidant activity assay revealed that the ability of AHP-3a to scavenge DPPH, ABTS, and OH free radicals increased with an increase in its concentration. Moreover, according to the results from the EdU, wound healing, and Transwell assays, AHP-3a can control the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HepG2 and Huh7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells without causing any damage to healthy cells. Thus, AHP-3a may be a natural antioxidant and anticancer component.

Gut microbiota-derived 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid from pumpkin polysaccharides supplementation alleviates colitis via MAPKs-PPARγ/NF-κB inhibition

Polysaccharides from Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) (PPs) have many pharmacological activities, including anti-oxidant, immune, and intestinal microbiota regulation. These activities have provided some reminders of its potential therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis (UC), but this has not yet been confirmed. This study preliminarily confirmed its significant anti-UC activity superior to Salicylazosulfapyridine. The average molecular weight of PPs was 3.10 × 105 Da, and PPs mainly comprised Mannose, Rhamnose, Galacturonic acid, Galactosamine, Glucose, and Xylose with molar ratios of 1.58:3.51:34.54:1.00:3.25:3.02. PPs (50, 100 mg/kg) could significantly resist dextran sodium sulfate induced UC on C57BL/6 mice by improving gut microbiota dysbiosis, such as the changes of relative abundance of Bacteroides, Culturomica, Mucispirillum, Escherichia-Shigella, Alistipes and Helicobacter. PPs also reverse the abnormal inflammatory reaction, including abnormal level changes of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-18. Metabolomic profiling showed that PPs supplementation resulted in the participation of PPAR and MAPK pathways, as well as the increase of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) level. 5-HIAA also exhibited individual and synergistic anti-UC activities in vivo. Furthermore, combination of PPs and 5-HIAA could also elevate the levels of PPARγ in nuclear and inhibit MAPK/NF-ĸB pathway in the colon. This study revealed that PPs and endogenous metabolite 5-HIAA might be developed to treat UC.

Traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharide in nano-drug delivery systems: Current progress and future perspectives

Traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharides (TCMPs) have gained increasing attention in the field of nanomedicine due to their diverse biological activities and favorable characteristics as drug carriers, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, safety, and ease of modification. TCMPs-based nano-drug delivery systems (NDDSs) offer several advantages, such as evasion of reticuloendothelial system (RES) phagocytosis, protection against biomolecule degradation, enhanced drug bioavailability, and potent therapeutic effects. Therefore, a comprehensive review of the latest developments in TCMPs-based NDDSs and their applications in disease therapy is of great significance. This review provides an overview of the structural characteristics and biological activities of TCMPs relevant to carrier design, the strategies employed for constructing TCMPs-based NDDSs, and the versatile role of TCMPs in these systems. Additionally, current challenges and future prospects of TCMPs in NDDSs are discussed, aiming to provide valuable insights for future research and clinical translation.

Lichen pectin-containing polysaccharide from Xanthoria elegans and its ability to effectively protect LX-2 cells from H2O2-induced oxidative damage

Xanthoria elegans, a drought-tolerant lichen, is the original plant of the traditional Chinese medicine "Shihua" and effectively treats a variety of liver diseases. However, thus far, the hepatoprotective effects of polysaccharides, the most important chemical constituents of X. elegans, have not been determined. The aim of this study was to screen the polysaccharide fraction for hepatoprotective activity by using free radical scavenging assays and a H2O2-induced Lieming Xu-2 cell (LX-2) oxidative damage model and to elucidate the chemical composition of the bioactive polysaccharide fraction. In the present study, three polysaccharide fractions (XEP-50, XEP-70 and XEP-90) were obtained from X. elegans by hot-water extraction, DEAE-cellulose anion exchange chromatography separation and ethanol gradient precipitation. Among the three polysaccharide fractions, XEP-70 exhibited the best antioxidant activity in free radical scavenging capacity and reducing power assays. Structural studies showed that XEP-70 was a pectin-containing heteropolysaccharide fraction that was composed mainly of (1 → 4)-linked and (1 → 4,6)-linked α-D-Glcp, (1 → 4)-linked α-D-GalpA, (1 → 2)-linked, (1 → 6)-linked and (1 → 2,6)-linked α-D-Manp, and (1 → 6)-linked and (1 → 2,6)-linked β-D-Galf. Furthermore, XEP-70 exhibited effectively protect LX-2 cells against H2O2-induced oxidative damage by enhancing cellular antioxidant capacity by activating the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE signaling pathway. Thus, XEP-70 has good potential to protect hepatic stellate cells against oxidative damage.

An Aloe-Based Composition Constituting Polysaccharides and Polyphenols Protected Mice against D-Galactose-Induced Immunosenescence

A decline in immune response, exhibited in the form of immunosenescence and inflammaging, is an age-associated disturbance of the immune system known to predispose the elderly to a greater susceptibility to infection and poor vaccine response. Polysaccharides and polyphenols from botanicals are known for their immune modulation effects. Here we evaluated a standardized mushroom-based composition, UP360, from Aloe barbadensis, Poria cocos, and Rosmarinus officinalis, as a natural nutritional supplement for a balanced immune response in an accelerated aging mouse model. Immunosenescence was induced by continual subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (D-gal) at a dose of 500 mg/kg/day to CD-1 mice. UP360 was administered at oral doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg to the mice starting on the 5th week of D-gal injection. The study lasted for a total of 9 weeks. All mice were given a quadrivalent influenza vaccine at 3 µg/animal via intramuscular injection 14 days before the end of the study. A group of D-gal-treated mice treated at 400 mg/kg/day UP360 was kept without vaccination. Whole blood, serum, spleen homogenate, and thymus tissues were used for analysis. UP360 was found to improve the immune response as evidenced by stimulation of innate and adaptive immune responses, increase antioxidant capacity as reflected by augmented SOD and Nrf2, and preserve vital immune organs, such as the thymus, from aging-associated damage. The findings depicted in this report show the effect of the composition in activating and maintaining homeostasis of the immune system both during active infections and as a preventive measure to help prime the immune system. These data warrant further clinical study to explore the potential application of the mushroom-based composition as an adjunct nutritional supplement for a balanced immune response.

Advances in research on the anti-tumor mechanism of Astragalus polysaccharides

The dry root of the soybean plant Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge) Hsiao or A. membranaceus (Fisch) Bge, Astragali Radix (AR) has a long medicinal history. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), the natural macromolecule that exhibits immune regulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and other pharmacological activities, is an important active ingredient extracted from AR. Recently, APS has been increasingly used in cancer therapy owing to its anti-tumor ability as it prevents the progression of prostate, liver, cervical, ovarian, and non-small-cell lung cancer by suppressing tumor cell growth and invasion and enhancing apoptosis. In addition, APS enhances the sensitivity of tumors to antineoplastic agents and improves the body's immunity. This macromolecule has prospects for broad application in tumor therapy through various pathways. In this article, we present the latest progress in the research on the anti-tumor effects of APS and its underlying mechanisms, aiming to provide novel theoretical support and reference for its use in cancer therapy.

Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides-chemical properties and pharmacodynamic effects on the airways in experimental conditions

The study aimed to analyze the effects of Dendrobium polysaccharides on the cough and airway reactivity and compare them with the effects of clinically used antitussives (codeine phosphate and butamirate citrate) and bronchodilators (salbutamol), using the guinea pig test system. Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides contained proteins (4.0 wt%) and phenolic compounds (1.7 wt%) with a molecular weight of 25,000 g/mol. The sugar analysis revealed a dominance of glucose (93.7 wt%) and a lesser amount of mannose (5.1 wt%) while other sugar quantities were negligible. Methylation analysis indicated the presence of highly branched polysaccharides. Glucose was found mainly as terminal, 1,4- and 1,6-linked. Furthermore, some 1,4- and 1,6-linked glucose units were found branched at O2, O3, and O6/O4. Mannose was terminal and 1,4-linked. NMR spectra signals indicate the presence of the (1→4)-linked α-d-glucan, (1→4)-linked β-d-glucan branched at position O6, (1→6)-linked β-d-glucan branched at position O3 and (1→4)-linked glucomannan. Pharmacological studies showed statistically significant antitussive activity of Dendrobium polysaccharides, exceeding the effect of clinically used antitussives, which may be partially associated with confirmed bronchodilation and the ability of polysaccharides to increase the threshold of cough receptor activation. Dendrobium polysaccharides may increase the possibility of symptomatic treatment of cough, especially in asthmatics.

Exploration of the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and wound healing activities of Bletilla Striata polysaccharide

Bletilla Striata (BS) Polysaccharide (BSP) is one of the main components of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Bletilla striata Rchb. F. BSP has been widely used in antimicrobial and hemostasis treatments in clinics. Despite its use in skin disease treatment and cosmetology, the effects of BSP on wound healing remain unclear. Here we investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic effects of BSP and explored its impact on morphological changes and inflammatory mediators during wound healing. A carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema model was established to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of BSP. Antioxidant indicators, including NO, SOD, and MDA, were measured in the blood and liver. The increased pain threshold induced by BSP was also determined using the hot plate test. A mouse excisional wound model was applied to evaluate the wound healing rate, and HE staining and Masson staining were used to detect tissue structure changes. In addition, ELISA was employed to detect the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum. BSP significantly decreased the concentration of NO and MDA in serum and liver while increasing SOD activity. It exhibited a notable improvement in mouse paw edema induced by carrageenan. BSP dose-dependently delayed the appearance of licking behavior in mice, indicating its analgesic effect. Compared to the control group, the wound healing rate was significantly improved in the BSP treatment group. HE and Masson staining results showed that the BSP and 'Jingwanhong' ointment groups had slightly milder inflammatory responses and significantly promoted more new granulation tissue formation. The levels of serum inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were reduced to varying degrees. The results demonstrated that BSP possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and wound healing properties, and it may promote wound healing through inhibition of inflammatory cytokine synthesis and release.

Purification and structural characterization of two polysaccharides with anti-inflammatory activities from Plumbago zeylanica L

Plumbago zeylanica L., a traditional Chinese medicine, has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and it is critical important to explore the chemical compounds and evaluate their biological actions from the medicinal plant. However, the chemical structure and biological activities of polysaccharides from P. zeylanica. were still poorly understood. In this study, two water-soluble polysaccharides named WPZP-2-1 and WPZP-2-2 were purified from P. zeylanica L. Chemical and spectroscopic tests showed that the main chain of WPZP-2-1 was →4)-α-D-GalpA-(1 → 2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→, and the branch chain was galactose or arabinose. The main chain of WPZP-2-2 was composed of →4)-α-D-GalpA-(1 → 2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→, and the O-2 and O-3 of →4)-α-D-GalpA had a small amount of acetylation. In addition, in vitro test showed that WPZP-2-1 and WPZP-2-2 significantly improved the inflammatory damage of LPS + IFN-γ-induced THP-1 cells via reducing the protein levels of CD14, TLR4 and MyD88, thereby promoting IL-10 expression and inhibiting the mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. Those findings indicated that WPZP-2-1 and WPZP-2-2 from the plant should be served as the potential anti-inflammatory agents.

The European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence (EPNOE) research roadmap 2040: Advanced strategies for exploiting the vast potential of polysaccharides as renewable bioresources

Polysaccharides are among the most abundant bioresources on earth and consequently need to play a pivotal role when addressing existential scientific challenges like climate change and the shift from fossil-based to sustainable biobased materials. The Research Roadmap 2040 of the European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence (EPNOE) provides an expert's view on how future research and development strategies need to evolve to fully exploit the vast potential of polysaccharides as renewable bioresources. It is addressed to academic researchers, companies, as well as policymakers and covers five strategic areas that are of great importance in the context of polysaccharide related research: (I) Materials & Engineering, (II) Food & Nutrition, (III) Biomedical Applications, (IV) Chemistry, Biology & Physics, and (V) Skills & Education. Each section summarizes the state of research, identifies challenges that are currently faced, project achievements and developments that are expected in the upcoming 20 years, and finally provides outlines on how future research activities need to evolve.

Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction, structural characterization, and anticancer activity of polysaccharides from Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit

In this work, Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit polysaccharides (RPs) were extracted by ultrasound-assisted enzymatic method. The highest extraction yield of RPs was 4.78 ± 0.10 % under the optimal extraction conditions. Two purified fractions named RP1 and RP3 were obtained and systematically characterized by a combination strategy of FT-IR, monosaccharide composition, molecular weight distribution, methylation and 2D NMR spectroscopy analyses. Structural analysis showed that the main chain of RP1 was composed of rhamnogalacturonan type I (RG-I), while the side chains were rich in arabinogalactan and galactose. RP3 was composed of long homogalacturonan (HG) backbone interspersed with alternating sequences of RG-I domains, with galactose and arabinose side chains. RP1 and RP3 induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells in a dose dependent manner in vitro especially for RP1, and had no effect on L929 cells. Furthermore, the possible anticancer mechanisms were revealed, and results suggested that RP1 induced apoptosis through ROS-dependent pathway and mitochondrial pathway. The results of this work not only provided an efficient extraction method and theoretical basis for the application of RPs, but also may contribute to develop novel functional foods or pharmaceutical products for the prevention and treatment of human breast cancer disease.

Recent advances in medicinal and edible homologous plant polysaccharides: Preparation, structure and prevention and treatment of diabetes

Medicinal and edible homologs (MEHs) can be used in medicine and food. The National Health Commission announced that a total of 103 kinds of medicinal and edible homologous plants (MEHPs) would be available by were available in 2023. Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become the third most common chronic metabolic disease that seriously threatens human health worldwide. Polysaccharides, the main component isolated from MEHPs, have significant antidiabetic effects with few side effects. Based on a literature search, this paper summarizes the preparation methods, structural characterization, and antidiabetic functions and mechanisms of MEHPs polysaccharides (MEHPPs). Specifically, MEHPPs mainly regulate PI3K/Akt, AMPK, cAMP/PKA, Nrf2/Keap1, NF-κB, MAPK and other signaling pathways to promote insulin secretion and release, improve glycolipid metabolism, inhibit the inflammatory response, decrease oxidative stress and regulate intestinal flora. Among them, 16 kinds of MEHPPs were found to have obvious anti-diabetic effects. This article reviews the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications by MEHPPs and provides a basis for the development of safe and effective MEHPP-derived health products and new drugs to prevent and treat diabetes.

Polysaccharide of Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr regulates macrophage immune response and epigenetic memory through TLR4-JNK/p38/ERK signaling pathway and histone modification

BACKGROUND

Innate immune memory of macrophages is closely linked to histone modifications. While various studies have demonstrated that the polysaccharide of Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr (ACMP), extracted through alcohol-alkali extraction, enhances macrophages' non-specific immune function; no literature currently addresses whether ACMP's regulatory effect is related to innate immune memory and histone modification.

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate if ACMP induces innate immune memory emergence in macrophages via pattern recognition receptor (PRR).

STUDY DESIGN

After co-incubating different doses of ACMP with RAW264.7 cells and BMDM cells, we observed changes in signaling pathways related to PRR and assessed the presence of innate immune memory phenomenon in the cells.

METHODS

We observed the morphological characteristics of the ACMP using a scanning electron microscope, infrared spectrum, and HPLC pre-column derivatization method. We used q-PCR, Western blot, RNA-seq, and CUT&Tag-seq methods to examine ACMP's regulation of macrophage immune response and innate immune memory and explored its specific mechanism.

RESULTS

ACMP, primarily composed of Man, GlcN, Rha, Fuc, GalA, Xyl, Glc, Gal, Ara, and, exhibited a molar ratio of each monosaccharide (1.41: 0.35: 0.49: 0.18: 1.00: 97.12: 0.36: 3.58: 1.14). ACMP regulated immunological function in macrophages through the TLR4-MAPK-JNK/p38/ERK pathway. ACMP induced elevated levels of chromosomal H3K4me1, enhancing TNF-α, IL-1β, and other genes' responsiveness, allowing macrophages to develop innate immune memory to ACMP stimulation.

CONCLUSION

This study first time demonstrates that ACMP regulates immunological function through the TLR4-MAPK-JNK/ERK/p38 signaling pathway, distinct from prior reports. ACMP induces innate immune memory in macrophages in response to its immune stimulation by promoting increased H3K4me1 on chromosomes. This mechanism may be crucial in how plant polysaccharides regulate macrophages and the body's immune function.

Polysaccharide-rich extract of Genipa americana leaves exerts anti-inflammatory effects modulated by platelet mediators

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae) leaves are traditionally used to treat fever, pharyngitis, healing, luxation and bruises.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of the polysaccharide-rich extract of G. americana leaves (PE-Ga) in acute inflammation models and underlying mechanisms associated with platelet activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats received PE-Ga (0.3-3.0 mg/kg; IV) 30 min before injection (IP or SC) of zymosan, serotonin, PGE2, PLA2, PAF or L-arginine, and evaluated in the models of paw edema and acute peritonits. The blockage of plasma serotonin reuptake into platelets was performed with fluoxetine (40 mg/kg; IP).

RESULTS

In vitro, PE-Ga inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation up to 49%. In the edema model, PE-Ga reduced (41%) the time-course of the edema induced by zymosan, mainly the last phase (62%), as well as that induced by PLA2 (32%), PAF (35%), L-arginine (36%), PGE2 (49%) or serotonin (54% AUC); and reversed paw hypernociception induced by PGE2 or serotonin. In the peritonitis model, PE-Ga reversed abdominal hypernociception and reduced leukocyte migration induced by zymosan to blood (38%) and peritoneal cavity (55%), mainly neutrophils (70%). PE-GA also decreased leukocyte rolling (32%) and adhesion (47%), and increased the rolling velocity 2.2-fold. In the peritoneal fluid, PE-Ga reversed P-selectin and reduced total proteins (17%), MDA (40%), NO2-/NO3- (27%), and MPO activity (43%) but increased catalase activity 3.3-fold compared to zymosan. In addition, fluoxetine reversed PE-Ga anti-inflammatory effect on leukocyte migration and adhesion.

CONCLUSIONS

PE-Ga exerts antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects in acute inflammation induced by zymosan, being modulated by P-selectin and platelet serotonin, among other inflammatory mediators.

Polysaccharides from Chinese herbal medicine: a review on the hepatoprotective and molecular mechanism

Polysaccharides, predominantly extracted from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as Lycium barbarum, Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Dendrobium officinale, Ganoderma lucidum, and Poria cocos, represent principal bioactive constituents extensively utilized in Chinese medicine. These compounds have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory capabilities, especially anti-liver injury activities, while exhibiting minimal adverse effects. This review summarized recent studies to elucidate the hepatoprotective efficacy and underlying molecular mechanisms of these herbal polysaccharides. It underscored the role of these polysaccharides in regulating hepatic function, enhancing immunological responses, and improving antioxidant capacities, thus contributing to the attenuation of hepatocyte apoptosis and liver protection. Analyses of molecular pathways in these studies revealed the intricate and indispensable functions of traditional Chinese herbal polysaccharides in liver injury management. Therefore, this review provides a thorough examination of the hepatoprotective attributes and molecular mechanisms of these medicinal polysaccharides, thereby offering valuable insights for the advancement of polysaccharide-based therapeutic research and their potential clinical applications in liver disease treatment.

Isolation, characterization, trypsin inhibition, liver protective and antioxidant activities of arabinoxylan from Massa Medicata Fermentata and its processed products

Massa Medicata Fermentata (MMF) is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used in feed additives and human medicine. In this study, two neutral polysaccharides (SMMFP-1 and CMMFP-1) were isolated from two forms of MMF (sheng and chao MMF), and their structural characteristics and bioactivities were studied. The results showed that CMMFP-1 had higher average Mw compared with that of SMMFP-1. SMMFP-1 had a lower proportion of Ara, Xyl, GalA, and GlcA, but higher levels of Fuc, Gal, Man, and GulA. Compared with CMMFP-1, SMMFP-1 had a triple helix structure. SMMFP-1 had a layered structure, whereas CMMFP-1 had a curly layered structure. More glycosidic linkage types were found in SMMFP-1 than in CMMFP-1, and SMMFP-1 had a greater number of side chains. More importantly, SMMFP-1 showed better trypsin inhibition activity in vitro, liver-protective activity in vivo, and stronger antioxidant activity in vivo than CMMFP-1. Thus, arabinoxylans may be one of the active substances for different efficacies between MMF and its processed product. The results of this study facilitate the exploration of the correlation between the structural characteristics and biological functionalities of MMF arabinoxylans. Moreover, a theoretical basis is established for further study of the unique properties of arabinoxylans and their applications.

The effects of Trametes versicolor fermented Rosa roxburghii tratt and coix seed quild on the nutrition, sensory characteristics and physical and chemical parameters of yogurt

Trametes versicolor can produce aromatic flavor in growth and development, widely used in food fermentation. This study used a One-Factor-at-a-Time (OFAT) test and response surface analysis to study the optimum fermentation parameters of Rosa roxburghii tratt and coix seed yogurt by Trametes versicolor. The best fermentation process is as follows: skim milk powder 17 %, sucrose content 4 %, Rosa roxburghii tratt and coix seed liquid 36 %, fermentation temperature 39 °C, inoculum 2 %, strain ratio 2:1:1(LB12: BLH1: Q-1), fermentation time 9.5 h. Under this fermentation process, the sensory score was 82.11, the contents of vitamin C, GABA, and total live bacteria in this yogurt were 13.89, 2.58, and 1.02 times higher than in common yogurt. Correlation analyses showed a significant contribution of the leavening agent to the GABA content of yogurt. This study provides a foundation for producing Rosa roxburghii tratt and coix seed yogurt with high sensory and nutritional value.

Comparative Study of the Structural Characteristics and Bioactivity of Polysaccharides Extracted from Aspidopterys obcordata Hemsl. Using Different Solvents

The polysaccharides extracted from Aspidopterys obcordata are thought to have anti-urolithiasis activity in Drosophila kidney stones. This study aimed to assess the effects of different extraction solvents on the yield, chemical composition, and bioactivity of polysaccharides from A. obcordata. A. obcordata polysaccharides were extracted by using four solutions: hot water, HCl solution, NaOH solution, and 0.1 M NaCl. The results revealed that the extraction solvents significantly influenced the extraction yields, molecular weight distribution, monosaccharide compositions, preliminary structural characteristics, and microstructures of polysaccharides. The NaOH solution's extraction yield was significantly higher than the other extraction methods. Vitro antioxidant activity assays revealed that the NaOH solution extracted exhibited superior scavenging abilities towards DPPH and ABTS radicals and higher FRAP values than other polysaccharides. The vitro assays conducted for calcium oxalate crystallization demonstrated that four polysaccharides exhibited inhibitory effects on the nucleation and aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals, impeded calcium oxalate monohydrate growth, and induced calcium oxalate dihydrate formation. The NaOH solution extracted exhibited the most pronounced inhibition of calcium oxalate crystal nucleation, while the hot water extracted demonstrated the most significant suppression of calcium oxalate crystal aggregation. Therefore, it can be inferred that polysaccharides extracted with NaOH solution exhibited significant potential as a viable approach for extracting polysaccharides from stems due to their superior yield and the remarkable bioactivity of the resulting products.

Preclinical pharmacokinetics-related pharmacological effects of orally administered polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicines: A review

Polysaccharides (TCMPs) derived from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), such as Ganoderma lucidum, Astragalus membranaceus, Lycium barbarum, and Panax ginseng, are considered to be the main active constituents in TCMs. However, the significant pharmacological effects of orally administered TCMPs do not align well with their poor pharmacokinetics. This article aims to review the literature published mainly from 2010 to 2022, focusing on the relationship between pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effects. It has been found that unabsorbed TCMPs can exert local pharmacological effects in the gut, including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, regulation of intestinal flora, modulation of intestinal immunity, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. Unabsorbed TCMPs can also produce systemic pharmacological effects, such as anti-tumor activity and immune system modulation, by regulating intestinal flora and immunity. Conversely, some TCMPs can be absorbed and distributed to various tissues, especially the liver, where they exhibit tissue-protecting effects against inflammation and oxidative stress-induced damage and improve glucose and lipid metabolism. In future studies, it is important to improve quality control and experimental design. Furthermore, research on enhancing the oral bioavailability of TCMPs, exploring the activity of TCMP metabolites, investigating pharmacokinetic interactions between TCMPs and oral drugs, and developing oral drug delivery systems using TCMPs holds great significance.

Recent chemical synthesis of plant polysaccharides

Here, chemical syntheses of long, branched and complex glycans over 10-mer from plants are summarized, which highlights amylopectin 20-mer from starch, 17-mer from carthamus tinctorius, α-glucan 30-mer from Longan, 19-mer from psidium guajava and 11-mer from dendrobium huoshanense. The glycans assembly strategies, protecting groups utilization and glycosylation methods discussed here will inspire the efficient synthesis of diverse complex glycans with many 1,2-cis glycosidic linkages.

Development of a joint derivatization protocol for the unequivocal identification of the monosaccharide composition in four dendrobium polysaccharides and free monosaccharide by GC-MS

The determination of monosaccharides is crucial for studying the structure of polysaccharides and the composition of free monosaccharides in living organisms. Based on previous derivatization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods, we aimed to develop a novel analytical protocol for better quantifying monosaccharides. In this study, sugar alcohol acetylation, saccharonitrile acetylation, silylation and a combination of sugar alcohols acetylation and saccharonitrile acetylation were compared. The optimal method was verified with the monosaccharide determination of four polysaccharides and four free monosaccharides from Dendrobium. The results showed that the novel combined derivatization method was superior to the other three methods in terms of content analysis of monosaccharides. Furthermore, it possessed good linearity (all calibration curves showed relative coefficients ≥ 0.999), sensitivity, precision (relative standard deviation < 2%), and accuracy (recovery, 95.7-105%). Finally, the novel method established in this study was successfully employed in determining the monosaccharide composition of four polysaccharides and four free monosaccharide samples from Dendrobium.

Nutritional Value, Volatile Components, Functional Metabolites, and Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activities of Different Parts of Millettia speciosa Champ., a Medicinal and Edible Plant with Potential for Development

Highly nutritious traditional plants which are rich in bioactive substances are attracting increasing attention. In this study, the nutritional value, chemical composition, biological activities, and feed indices of different parts of Millettia speciosa were comprehensively evaluated. In terms of its nutritional value, this study demonstrated that the leaves, flowers and seeds of M. speciosa were rich in elements and amino acids; the biological values (BVs) of these ingredients ranged from 85% to 100%, showing the extremely high nutritional value of this plant. GC-MS analysis suggested that the main chemical components of the flower volatile oil were n-hexadecanoic acid (21.73%), tetracosane (19.96%), and pentacosane (5.86%). The antibacterial activities of the flower and seed extracts were significantly stronger than those of the leaves and branches. The leaf extract displayed the strongest antifungal activities (EC50 values: 18.28 ± 0.54 μg/mL for Pseudocryphonectria elaeocarpicola and 568.21 ± 33.60 μg/mL for Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) and were the least toxic to mouse fibroblasts (L929) (IC50 value: 0.71 ± 0.04 mg/mL), while flowers were the most toxic (IC50 value: 0.27 ± 0.03 mg/mL). In addition, the abundance of fiber, protein, mineral elements, and functional metabolite contents indicated the potential applicability of M. speciosa as an animal feed. In conclusion, as a traditional herbal plant used for medicinal and food purposes, M. speciosa shows potential for safe and multifunctional development.

Natural polysaccharides exert anti-tumor effects as dendritic cell immune enhancers

With the development of immunotherapy, the process of tumor treatment is also moving forward. Polysaccharides are biological response modifiers widely found in plants, animals, fungi, and algae and are mainly composed of monosaccharides covalently linked by glycosidic bonds. For a long time, polysaccharides have been widely used clinically to enhance the body's immunity. However, their mechanisms of action in tumor immunotherapy have not been thoroughly explored. Dendritic cells (DCs) are a heterogeneous population of antigen presenting cells (APCs) that play a crucial role in the regulation and maintenance of the immune response. There is growing evidence that polysaccharides can enhance the essential functions of DCs to intervene the immune response. This paper describes the research progress on the anti-tumor immune effects of natural polysaccharides on DCs. These studies show that polysaccharides can act on pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on the surface of DCs and activate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Dectin-1/Syk, and other signalling pathways, thereby promoting the main functions of DCs such as maturation, metabolism, antigen uptake and presentation, and activation of T cells, and then play an anti-tumor role. In addition, the application of polysaccharides as adjuvants for DC vaccines, in combination with adoptive immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), as well as their co-assembly with nanoparticles (NPs) into nano drug delivery systems is also introduced. These results reveal the biological effects of polysaccharides, provide a new perspective for the anti-tumor immunopharmacological research of natural polysaccharides, and provide helpful information for guiding polysaccharides as complementary medicines in cancer immunotherapy.

Free Radical-Mediated Grafting of Natural Polysaccharides Such as Chitosan, Starch, Inulin, and Pectin with Some Polyphenols: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Bioactivities, and Applications-A Review

Polyphenols and polysaccharides are very important natural products with special physicochemical properties and extensive biological activities. Recently, polyphenol-polysaccharide conjugates have been synthesized to overcome the limitations of polysaccharides and broaden their application range. Grafted copolymers are produced through chemical coupling, enzyme-mediated, and free radical-mediated methods, among which the free radical-induced grafting reaction is the most cost-effective, ecofriendly, safe, and plausible approach. Here, we review the grafting reactions of polysaccharides mediated by free radicals with various bioactive polyphenols, such as gallic acid (GA), ferulic acid (FA), and catechins. A detailed introduction of the methods and their mechanisms for free radical-mediated grafting is given. Structural characterization methods of the graft products, including thin-layer chromatography (TLC), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are introduced. Furthermore, the biological properties of polyphenol-polysaccharide conjugates are also presented, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiabetic, and neuroprotection activities, etc. Moreover, the potential applications of polyphenol-polysaccharide conjugates are described. Finally, the challenges and research prospects of graft products are summarized.

Recent advances in polysaccharide biomodification by microbial fermentation: production, properties, bioactivities, and mechanisms

Polysaccharides are natural chemical compounds that are extensively employed in the food and pharmaceutical industries. They exhibit a wide range of physical and biological properties. These properties are commonly improved by using chemical and physical methods. However, with the advancement of biotechnology and increased demand for green, clean, and safe products, polysaccharide modification via microbial fermentation has gained importance in improving their physicochemical and biological activities. The physicochemical and structural characteristics, biological activity, and modification mechanisms of microbially fermented polysaccharides were reviewed and summarized in this study. Polysaccharide modifications were categorized and discussed in terms of strains and fermentation techniques. The effects of microbial fermentation on the physicochemical characteristics of polysaccharides were highlighted. The impact of modification of polysaccharides on their antioxidant, immune, hypoglycemic, and other activities, as well as probiotic digestive enhancement, were also discussed. Finally, we investigated a potential enzyme-based process for polysaccharide modification via microbial fermentation. Modification of polysaccharides via microbial fermentation has significant value and application potential.

The Antitumour Activity of a Curcumin and Piperine Loaded iRGD-Modified Liposome: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers around the world, with a high mortality rate. Despite substantial advancements in diagnoses and therapies, the outlook and survival of patients with lung cancer remains dismal due to drug tolerance and malignant reactions. New interventional treatments urgently need to be explored if natural compounds are to be used to reduce toxicity and adverse effects to meet the needs of lung cancer clinical treatment. An internalizing arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (iRGD) modified by a tumour-piercing peptide liposome (iRGD-LP-CUR-PIP) was developed via co-delivery of curcumin (CUR) and piperine (PIP). Its antitumour efficacy was evaluated and validated via in vivo and in vitro experiments. iRGD-LP-CUR-PIP enhanced tumour targeting and cellular internalisation effectively. In vitro, iRGD-LP-CUR-PIP exhibited enhanced cellular uptake, suppression of tumour cell multiplication and invasion and energy-independent cellular uptake. In vivo, iRGD-LP-CUR-PIP showed high antitumour efficacy, mainly in terms of significant tumour volume reduction and increased weight and spleen index. Data showed that iRGD peptide has active tumour targeting and it significantly improves the penetration and cellular internalisation of tumours in the liposomal system. The use of CUR in combination with PIP can exert synergistic antitumour activity. This study provides a targeted therapeutic system based on natural components to improve antitumour efficacy in lung cancer.

Mechanisms of interactions in pattern-recognition of common glycostructures across pectin-derived heteropolysaccharides by Toll-like receptor 4

Complex pectin, originating from terrestrial plant cell walls has been attracting research attention as a promising source of a new innate immune modulator. Numerous bioactive polysaccharides associated with pectin are newly reported every year, but the general mechanism of their immunological action remains unclear owing to the complexity and heterogeneity of pectin. Herein, we systematically investigated the interactions in pattern-recognition for common glycostructures of pectic heteropolysaccharides (HPSs) by Toll-like receptors (TLRs). The compositional similarity of glycosyl residues derived from pectic HPS was confirmed by conducting systematic reviews, leading to molecular modeling of representative pectic segments. Via structural investigation, the inner concavity of leucine-rich repeats of TLR4 was predicted to act as a binding motif for carbohydrate recognition, and subsequent simulations predicted the binding modes and conformations. We experimentally demonstrated that pectic HPS exhibits the non-canonical and multivalent binding aspects for TLR4 resulting in receptor activation. Furthermore, we showed that pectic HPSs were selectively clustered with TLR4 during endocytosis, inducing downstream signals to cause phenotypic activation of macrophages. Overall, we have presented a better explanation for the pattern recognition of pectic HPS and further proposed an approach to understand the interaction between complex carbohydrates and proteins.

Contemporary Aspects of Designing Marine Polysaccharide Microparticles as Drug Carriers for Biomedical Application

The main goal of modern pharmaceutical technology is to create new drug formulations that are safer and more effective. These formulations should allow targeted drug delivery, improved drug stability and bioavailability, fewer side effects, and reduced drug toxicity. One successful approach for achieving these objectives is using polymer microcarriers for drug delivery. They are effective for treating various diseases through different administration routes. When creating pharmaceutical systems, choosing the right drug carrier is crucial. Biomaterials have become increasingly popular over the past few decades due to their lack of toxicity, renewable sources, and affordability. Marine polysaccharides, in particular, have been widely used as substitutes for synthetic polymers in drug carrier applications. Their inherent properties, such as biodegradability and biocompatibility, make marine polysaccharide-based microcarriers a prospective platform for developing drug delivery systems. This review paper explores the principles of microparticle design using marine polysaccharides as drug carriers. By reviewing the current literature, the paper highlights the challenges of formulating polymer microparticles, and proposes various technological solutions. It also outlines future perspectives for developing marine polysaccharides as drug microcarriers.

Protective effects and mechanisms of opuntia polysaccharide in animal models of diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Opuntia speciesis used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus (DM). Polysaccharide is one of the main components of Opuntia. Opuntia polysaccharide (OPS) is a kind of natural active macromolecular substance, numerous animal experiments have been conducted to treat DM, however, its protective effect and mechanism in animal models of DM has not been clarified.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of OPS on DM through a stematic review and meta-analysis of animal models, and whether its improves blood glucose (BG) levels, body weight (BW), food intake, water intake, and lipid levels, and to summarize the potential mechanism of OPS in the treatment of DM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched relevant Chinese and English databases from the date of construction to March 2022, including PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedicine Literature Database (CBM), Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals Database (VIP), Wanfang Database. 16 studies were included for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed that compared with the model group, the OPS significantly improved BG, BW, food intake, water intake, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Meta-regression and subgroup analysis showed that intervention dose, animal species, duration and modeling method may be the source of the heterogeneity. There was no statistical difference between the positive control group and the OPS treatment group in improving BW, food intake, water intake, TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C.

CONCLUSIONS

OPS can effectively improve the symptoms of hyperglycemia, polydipsia, polyphagia, low body weight, and dyslipidemia in DM animals. The possible protective mechanisms of OPS on DM animals are immune regulation, repair of damaged pancreatic β cells, and inhibition of oxidative stress and cell apoptosis.

The anti-hyperlipidemic effect and underlying mechanisms of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grass polysaccharides in mice induced by a high-fat diet

Hyperlipidemia is a pathological disorder of lipid metabolism that can cause fatty liver, atherosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction, and other diseases, seriously endangering people's health. Polysaccharides have been shown to have lipid-lowering potential. In the current study, the anti-hyperlipidemia effect and potential mechanisms of a polysaccharide (BGP-Z31) obtained from barley grass harvested at the stem elongation stage in high-fat diet (HFD)-treated mice were investigated. Results showed that supplementation with BGP-Z31 (200 and 400 mg kg^-1) not only suppressed obesity, organ enlargement, and fat accumulation caused by HFD, but also regulated dyslipidemia, relieved liver function injury, and ameliorated the oxidative stress level. Meanwhile, BGP-Z31 increased the concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and isovaleric acid in HFD-induced mice. Gut microbiota analysis demonstrated that BGP-Z31 had no obvious effect on the gut microbiota diversity in mice treated with HFD, but it positively remodeled the intestinal flora structure by elevating the relative abundances of Bacteroides, Muribaculaceae, and Lachnospiraceae and lowering the Firmicutes/Bacteroides value and the relative abundance of Desulfovibrionaceae. Therefore, our data suggested that BGP-Z31 can be used as a promising nutritional supplement for dietary intervention in hyperlipidemia.

Evaluation of Acemannan in Different Commercial Beverages Containing Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) Gel

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) gel is a frequently used ingredient in many food pro-ducts, particularly beverages, due to its reported health benefits. Studies have identified acemannan, a polysaccharide rich in mannose units which are partially or fully acetylated, as the primary bioactive compound in Aloe vera gel. The acemannan content and its degree of acetylation (DA) were measured in 15 different commercial beverages containing Aloe vera at varying concentrations (from 30% to 99.8%) as listed on the label. Other biopolymers such as pectins, hemicelluloses, and cellulose were also evaluated. Flavoured beverages (seven samples labelled as containing from 30% to 77% Aloe vera) presented low levels of acemannan (<30 mg/100 g of fresh sample) and were fully deacetylated in most cases. These samples had high levels of other polymers such as pectins, hemicelluloses, and cellulose, likely due to the addition of fruit juices for flavour. Unflavoured beverages (eight samples, with Aloe vera concentrations above 99% according to their labels) had variable levels of acemannan, with only three containing more than 160 mg/100 g of fresh sample. In fact, four samples had less than 35 mg acemannan/100 g of fresh sample. DA levels in all but one sample were lower than 35%, possibly due to processing techniques such as pasteurization causing degradation and deacetylation of the acemannan polymer. Legislation regarding Aloe vera products is limited, and manufacturers are not required to disclose the presence or quality of bioactive compounds in their products, leaving consumers uncertain about the true properties of the products they purchase.

Dietary Plant Polysaccharides for Cancer Prevention: Role of Immune Cells and Gut Microbiota, Challenges and Perspectives

Dietary plant polysaccharides, one of the main sources of natural polysaccharides, possess significant cancer prevention activity and potential development value in the food and medicine fields. The anti-tumor mechanisms of plant polysaccharides are mainly elaborated from three perspectives: enhancing immunoregulation, inhibiting tumor cell growth and inhibiting tumor cell invasion and metastasis. The immune system plays a key role in cancer progression, and immunomodulation is considered a significant pathway for cancer prevention or treatment. Although much progress has been made in revealing the relationship between the cancer prevention activity of polysaccharides and immunoregulation, huge challenges are still met in the research and development of polysaccharides. Results suggest that certain polysaccharide types and glycosidic linkage forms significantly affect the biological activity of polysaccharides in immunoregulation. At present, the in vitro anti-tumor effects and immunoregulation of dietary polysaccharides are widely reported in articles; however, the anti-tumor effects and in vivo immunoregulation of dietary polysaccharides are still deserving of further investigation. In this paper, aspects of the mechanisms behind dietary polysaccharides' cancer prevention activity achieved through immunoregulation, the role of immune cells in cancer progression, the role of the mediatory relationship between the gut microbiota and dietary polysaccharides in immunoregulation and cancer prevention are systematically summarized, with the aim of encouraging future research on the use of dietary polysaccharides for cancer prevention.

Comparative Analysis of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from Dendrobium Second Love 'Tokimeki' and Dendrobium nobile in Structure, Antioxidant, and Anti-Tumor Activity In Vitro

With potential anti-tumor and antioxidant properties, the polysaccharide content of D. nobile is relatively lower than that of the other medicinal Dendrobium. To find high-content polysaccharide resources, the polysaccharide (DHPP-Ⅰs) was prepared from D. Second Love 'Tokimeki' (a D. nobile hybrid) and compared with DNPP-Ⅰs from D. nobile. DHPP-Is (Mn 31.09 kDa) and DNPP-Is (Mn 46.65 kDa) were found to be O-acetylated glucomannans (-Glcp-(1,4) and O-acetylated-D-Manp-(1,4) backbones), analogous to other Dendrobium polysaccharides. DHPP-Ⅰs had higher glucose content (31.1%) and a lower degree (0.16) of acetylation than DNPP-Ⅰs (15.8%, 0.28). Meanwhile, DHPP-Ⅰs and DNPP-Ⅰs had the same ability in the radical scavenging assay, which was milder than the control of Vc. Both DHPP-Is and DNPP-Is inhibited SPC-A-1 cell proliferation in vitro, with obvious differences in dose concentrations (0.5-2.0 mg/mL) and treatment times (24-72 h). Therefore, the antioxidant activity of DHPP-Ⅰs and DNPP-Ⅰs is not associated with distinction in anti-proliferative activity. As a glucomannan derived from non-medicinal Dendrobium, DHPP-Ⅰs has similar bioactivity to other medicinal Dendrobium, and this could serve as a starting point for studying the conformational-bioactivity relationship of Dendrobium polysaccharides.

Beyond cellulose: pharmaceutical potential for bioactive plant polysaccharides in treating disease and gut dysbiosis

Polysaccharides derived from plants, algae, or fungi serve as the major components of some human diets. Polysaccharides have been shown to exhibit diverse biological activities in improving human health, and have also been proposed to function as potent modulators of gut microbiota composition, thus playing a bi-directional regulatory role in host health. Here, we review a variety of polysaccharide structures potentially linked to biological functions, and cover current research progress in characterizing their pharmaceutical effects in various disease models, including antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, and antimicrobial activities. We also highlight the effects of polysaccharides on modulating gut microbiota via enrichment for beneficial taxa and suppression of potential pathogens, leading to increased microbial expression of carbohydrate-active enzymes and enhanced short chain fatty acid production. This review also discusses polysaccharide-mediated improvements in gut function by influencing interleukin and hormone secretion in host intestinal epithelial cells.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction and analysis of maidenhairtree polysaccharides

The maidenhairtree polysaccharides (MTPs) have important application prospects. So, the extraction, purification, structure, derivatization and biological activities of polysaccharides from leaves, fruits, and testae of maidenhairtree were disscussed. Polysaccharides were extracted by collaborative extraction methods such as ultrasound-assisted extraction and microwave-assisted extraction. The ultrasound-assisted extraction had higher content and higher efficiency. The structural characteristics and structure-activity relationship of maidenhairtree polysaccharides were studied in order to provide theoretical basis and technical support for the further development and utilization of maidenhairtree polysaccharides.

Enhancement of the immune response via the facilitation of dendritic cell maturation by CD-205 Receptor-mediated Long-circling liposomes acting as an antigen and astragalus polysaccharide delivery system

CD-205 receptor-mediated dendritic cell (DC) targeting liposomes are commonly used as a delivery system for inducing a strong T-cell immune response or specific immune tolerance. This delivery system can carry both the antigen and adjuvant, thereby modulating DC maturation and also activating the T-cell response. In order to maximize the desired therapeutic effects of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) and induce an efficient cellular and humoral immune response against the antigen, ovalbumin (OVA) and APS were encapsulated in long-circling liposomes conjugated with anti-CD-205 receptor antibodies to produce CD-205-targeted liposomes (iLPSM). We explored using a series of experiments evaluating the targeting efficiency of iLPSM. In vitro, iLPSM nanoparticles promoted the proliferation of macrophages, and the nanoparticles were rapidly phagocytized by macrophages. In vivo, iLPSM significantly improved the antibody titers of OVA-specific IgG and IgG, isotypes cytokine production, and T and B lymphocyte differentiation. Furthermore, iLPSM facilitated the maturation of DCs. In addition, iLPSM nanoparticles could prolong the retention time of nanoparticles at the injection site, leading to a strong, sustained immune response. These results show that the CD-205 antibody successfully binds to the corresponding cell receptor.

Controlled Drug Release from Nanoengineered Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are naturally occurring complex molecules with exceptional physicochemical properties and bioactivities. They originate from plant, animal, and microbial-based resources and processes and can be chemically modified. The biocompatibility and biodegradability of polysaccharides enable their increased use in nanoscale synthesis and engineering for drug encapsulation and release. This review focuses on sustained drug release studies from nanoscale polysaccharides in the fields of nanotechnology and biomedical sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on drug release kinetics and relevant mathematical models. An effective release model can be used to envision the behavior of specific nanoscale polysaccharide matrices and reduce impending experimental trial and error, saving time and resources. A robust model can also assist in translating from in vitro to in vivo experiments. The main aim of this review is to demonstrate that any study that establishes sustained release from nanoscale polysaccharide matrices should be accompanied by a detailed analysis of drug release kinetics by modeling since sustained release from polysaccharides not only involves diffusion and degradation but also surface erosion, complicated swelling dynamics, crosslinking, and drug-polymer interactions. As such, in the first part, we discuss the classification and role of polysaccharides in various applications and later elaborate on the specific pharmaceutical processes of polysaccharides in ionic gelling, stabilization, cross-linking, grafting, and encapsulation of drugs. We also document several drug release models applied to nanoscale hydrogels, nanofibers, and nanoparticles of polysaccharides and conclude that, at times, more than one model can accurately describe the sustained release profiles, indicating the existence of release mechanisms running in parallel. Finally, we conclude with the future opportunities and advanced applications of nanoengineered polysaccharides and their theranostic aptitudes for future clinical applications.

Biodegradable Polymers and Polymer Composites with Antibacterial Properties

Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to global health and food security today. It becomes increasingly difficult to treat infectious disorders because antibiotics, even the newest ones, are becoming less and less effective. One of the ways taken in the Global Plan of Action announced at the World Health Assembly in May 2015 is to ensure the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. In order to do so, attempts are made to develop new antimicrobial therapeutics, including biomaterials with antibacterial activity, such as polycationic polymers, polypeptides, and polymeric systems, to provide non-antibiotic therapeutic agents, such as selected biologically active nanoparticles and chemical compounds. Another key issue is preventing food from contamination by developing antibacterial packaging materials, particularly based on degradable polymers and biocomposites. This review, in a cross-sectional way, describes the most significant research activities conducted in recent years in the field of the development of polymeric materials and polymer composites with antibacterial properties. We particularly focus on natural polymers, i.e., polysaccharides and polypeptides, which present a mechanism for combating many highly pathogenic microorganisms. We also attempt to use this knowledge to obtain synthetic polymers with similar antibacterial activity.

Recent Advances in the Incorporation of Polysaccharides with Antioxidant and Antibacterial Functions to Preserve the Quality and Shelf Life of Meat Products

Meat and meat products are susceptible to various types of natural processes such as oxidative degradation due to their high content of protein and essential amino acids. However, finding solutions to maintain the nutritional and sensory quality of meat and meat products is unavoidable. Hence, there is a pressing need to investigate alternatives to synthetic preservatives, focusing on active biomolecules of natural provenance. Polysaccharides are natural polymers of various sources that exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant properties via a variety of mechanisms, owing to their diversity and structural variation. For this reason, these biomolecules are widely studied in order to improve texture, inhibit the growth of pathogens, and improve the oxidative stability and sensory characteristics of meat products. However, the literature has not addressed their biological activity in meat and meat products. This review summarizes the various sources of polysaccharides, their antioxidant and antibacterial activities (mainly against pathogenic food strains), and their use as natural preservatives to replace synthetic additives in meat and meat products. Special attention is given to the use of polysaccharides to improve the nutritional value of meat, resulting in more nutrient-rich meat products with higher polysaccharide content and less salt, nitrites/nitrates, and cholesterol.

Structural characterization and anti-inflammatory activity of polysaccharides from Astragalus membranaceus

In this study, two homogeneous polysaccharides (APS-A1 and APS-B1) were isolated from Astragalus membranaceus by DEAE-52 cellulose and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. Their chemical structures were characterized by molecular weight distribution, monosaccharide composition, infrared spectrum, methylation analysis, and NMR. The results revealed that APS-A1 (2.62 × 10⁶ Da) was a 1,4-α-D-Glcp backbone with a 1,4,6-α-D-Glcp branch every ten residues. APS-B1 (4.95 × 10⁶ Da) was a heteropolysaccharide composed of glucose, galactose, and arabinose (75.24:17.27:19.35). Its backbone consisted of 1,4-α-D-Glcp, 1,4,6-α-D-Glcp, 1,5-α-L-Araf and the sidechains composed of 1,6-α-D-Galp and T-α/β-Glcp. Bioactivity assays showed that APS-A1 and APS-B1 had potential anti-inflammatory activity. They could inhibit the production of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages via NF-κB and MAPK (ERK, JNK) pathways. These results suggested that the two polysaccharides could be potential anti-inflammatory supplements.

Biological activities and applications of exopolysaccharides produced by lactic acid bacteria: a mini-review

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are naturally occurring high-molecular-weight carbohydrates that have been widely studied for their biological activities, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anticancer and gut microbiota regulation activities. Polysaccharides are abundant in nature and can be derived from animals, plants, algae, and microorganisms, but among polysaccharides with potential uses, EPSs from microorganisms have the advantages of a short production cycle, high yield, and independence of production from season and climate and thus have broad prospects. While the safety of the producing microorganism can represent a problem in application of microbial EPSs, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been used by humans for thousands of years, and they and their products are generally recognized as safe. This makes LAB excellent sources for exopolysaccharides. EPS-producing LAB are readily found in nature. Through screening of strains, optimization of culture conditions, and improvement of the growth medium, the yield of EPSs from LAB can be increased and the scope of application broadened. This review summarizes EPSs from LAB in terms of structure, function and applications, as well as yield optimization, and introduces recent research on the biological activities and practical applications of LAB EPSs, aiming to provide references for researchers in related areas.

Comparison of physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides from wine grapes

In this study, an efficient ultrasonic-assisted extraction method was used for the extraction and optimization of four wine grape polysaccharides. A three-level, three-factor Box Behnken Design combined with the response surface approach was used to optimize the extraction conditions. Their physicochemical properties, molecular structure, antioxidant activity, immunomodulatory activity and hepatoprotective effects were examined and compared. These findings suggest that the four wine grape polysaccharides share similar basic structural features and monosaccharide composition. Furthermore, four wine grape polysaccharides exhibited antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities in a concentration-dependent manner. Moldova (MD) polysaccharide displayed better antioxidant activity and immunomodulatory ability. Furthermore, MD polysaccharide has a significant therapeutic effect on CCl₄-induced rat liver injury by improving the antioxidant defense system and inhibiting oxidative stress, indicating that MD has a hepatoprotective effect. Taken together, the MD wine grape polysaccharide may have potential applications in prevention of liver disease in the functional food and pharmaceutical industries.