Abstract
Sijunzi Decoction (SJZD) is a conventional prescription for curing spleen deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine and polysaccharide is its main ingredient. In order to explore the effective ingredients contributing to the immunological activity of SJZD, we isolated and purified seven homogeneous polysaccharides from Radix Ginseng (RS-3-1 and RS-3-2), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (BZ-3-1, BZ-3-2, and BZ-3-3), Poria (FL-3-1), and Radix Glycyrrhizae (GC-3-1) decoctions, respectively. The molecular weight of seven homogeneous polysaccharides ranged from 5.42 × 104 to 5.65 × 104 Da. Monosaccharide composition determined by GC-MS analysis showed that these polysaccharides were primarily composed of Rha, Ara, Xyl, Man, Glc, and Gal with various ratios. Immunological activity assay revealed that polysaccharides from four crude drug components of SJZD displayed inhibitory effects on the complement system. RS-3-1, BZ-3-1, FL-3-1, and GC-3-1 could significantly enhance the phagocytosis and increase the NO production and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) level in RAW 264.7 cells (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated the immunological activities of these polysaccharides from the four crude drugs. This study supports the therapeutic effect of SJZD in clinical use and is essential for further identification the immunopolysaccharide from SJZD decoction.
Highlights
Sijunzi Decoction (SJZD), a conventional Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula (TCMF), consists of four crude drugs: Radix Ginseng, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Poria, and Radix Glycyrrhizae in the ratio of 9 : 9 : 9 : 6. For thousands of years, it has been used to nourish Qi to invigorate the spleen of patients in China
Crude polysaccharides RS, BZ, FL, and GC were obtained from Radix Ginseng, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Poria, and Radix Glycyrrhizae through water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and deproteinization and were further separated by DEAE-52 ion-exchange chromatography and Sephadex G-100 size-exclusion chromatography
Two polysaccharides were isolated from Radix Ginseng (RS-3-1 and RS-3-2), three from Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (BZ-3-1, BZ-3-2 and BZ-3-3), and one each from Poria (FL-3-1) and Radix Glycyrrhizae (GC-3-1) (Figure 1)
Summary
Sijunzi Decoction (SJZD), a conventional Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula (TCMF), consists of four crude drugs: Radix Ginseng, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Poria, and Radix Glycyrrhizae in the ratio of 9 : 9 : 9 : 6. For thousands of years, it has been used to nourish Qi to invigorate the spleen of patients in China. Sijunzi Decoction (SJZD), a conventional Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula (TCMF), consists of four crude drugs: Radix Ginseng, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Poria, and Radix Glycyrrhizae in the ratio of 9 : 9 : 9 : 6. It was reported that polysaccharide from SJZD could affect the cellular migration and gene expression in wounded rat intestinal epithelial cells [5] and restore the intestinal flora to regulate immune function in spleen-deficient mice [6]. We used a comprehensive method, which assessed immune system regulation, intestinal microbiota, and short chain fatty acids, to screen for the active polysaccharide fraction from the SJZD with reserpine-induced rats. The results consistently indicated that the polysaccharide fraction S-3 from SJZD could enhance the immune function and treat spleen deficiency [7]. Little information is available about the constitution and source of this polysaccharide from SJZD
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
