Preparation of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata polysaccharide iron(III) complex and evaluation of its biological activity.

Abstract

This study extracted and purified a polysaccharide from Rehmanniae radix praeparata (RGP) with an average molecular weight. The structural characteristicsof RGP and its iron(III) complex, RGP-Fe(III),were examinedfor their antioxidant properties and potential in treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Analysis revealedthatRGP comprised Man, Rha, Gal,and Xyl, with a sugar residue skeleton featuring1→3; 1→2, 3; and 1→2,3, 4 linkages, among others. RGP-Fe(III) had amolecular weight of 4.39×104 Da.Notably, RGP-Fe(III) exhibited superiorantioxidant activity compared toRGPalone. InIDA rat models,treatmentwithRGP-Fe(III)led to increasedweight gain, restorationof keyblood parameters including hemoglobin, red blood cells,and mean hemoglobin content, elevatedserum ironlevels,and decreasedtotal iron-binding capacity.Histologicalexamination revealedno observabletoxic effects of RGP-Fe(III) on the liver and spleen.These findings suggest the potential of RGP-Fe(III) as a therapeutic agent for managing IDA and highlight its promising antioxidant properties.