Angelica Sinensis Polysaccharides Research Articles

Angelica sinensis polysaccharides modified selenium nanoparticles for effective prevention of acute liver injury

As a global public health issue, the treatment of acute liver injury (ALI) is severely limited due to the lack of specific drugs. In order to address the challenges, innovative strategies for selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) with excellent antioxidant properties have been actively developed to effectively prevent ALI. However, the functional activity of Se NPs is severely affected by poor stability and bioavailability. The aim of this work is to develop a stabilization system (ASP-Se NPs) for Angelica sinensis polysaccharides modified Se NPs. The results showed that ASP-Se NPs with smaller size (62.38 ± 2.96 nm) showed good stability, specific accumulation in liver and enhanced cell uptake, thus exerting strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. The results of in vivo experiments further confirmed that ASP-Se NPs effectively prevented CCl4-induced ALI by improving liver function, inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and liver pathological damage. This work provides a new alternative method for effectively preventing ALI and improving liver function.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharides ameliorated 5-Fluorouracil-induced damage of early B cell progenitors by alleviating oxidative stress of IL-7 producing mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells

B-lymphocytopenia among myelosuppression is the most intractable side effect of chemotherapy. Here, we investigated ways to alleviate 5-fluorouracil-caused stress hematopoietic impairment. We found that intraperitoneally injected ASP (Angelica sinensis polysaccharides) (100 mg/kg per day), one main active ingredient of Angelica sinensis, for consecutive 7 days, significantly recovered mouse bone marrow pro-B and pre-B cells, reversed the capacity of CFU-PreB colony forming, thus alleviating B cell reduction in the spleen and peripheral blood, as well as ameliorating immunoglobin from spleen and serum. The mechanism is related to the protective effects of ASP on IL-7 producing cells, including perivascular Leptin+ and CXCL12+ mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells (MSPCs), thus promoting IL-7 production, and activating IL-7R-mediated STAT5, PI3K-AKT signaling, including survival signals and EBF1, PAX5 transcription factor expression. Additionally, ASP’s IL-7 promoting effect was demonstrated to be associated with maintaining osteogenesis/adipogenesis balance of MSPCs via the NRF2 antioxidant pathway. Collectively, our findings indicate that ASP reverse stress B-lymphocytopenia via improving Nrf2 signaling, promoting IL-7 production in MSPCs, and subsequently maintaining survival, proliferation, and differentiation of B cell progenitors, which may represent a promising therapeutic strategy.

Novel pH-responsive E-selectin targeting natural polysaccharides hybrid micelles for diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is an important complication of diabetes and is the main cause of end-stage renal disease. The pathogenesis of DN is complex, including glucose and lipid metabolism disorder, inflammation, and so on. Novel hybrid micelles loaded Puerarin (Pue) based on Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) and Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) were fabricated with pH-responsive ASP-hydrazone-ibuprofen (BF) materials (ASP-HZ-BF, SHB) and sialic acid (SA) modified APS-hydrazone-ibuprofen materials (SA/APS-HZ-BF, SPHB) by thin-film dispersion method. The SA in hybrid micelles can specifically bind to the E-selectin receptor which is highly expressed in inflammatory vascular endothelial cells. The loaded Pue could be accurately delivered to the inflammatory site of the kidney in response to the low pH microenvironment. Overall, this study provides a promising strategy for developing hybrid micelles based on natural polysaccharides for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting renal inflammatory reactions, and antioxidant stress.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharides alleviate the oxidative burden on hematopoietic cells by restoring 5-fluorouracil-induced oxidative damage in perivascular mesenchymal progenitor cells

Context 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-injured stromal cells may cause chronic bone marrow suppression; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP), the main biologically active ingredient of the Chinese herb, Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Apiaceae), may enrich the blood and promote antioxidation. Objective This study investigated the protective antioxidative effects of ASP on perivascular mesenchymal progenitors (PMPs) and their interactions with hematopoietic cells. Materials and methods PMPs were dissociated from C57BL/6 mouse femur and tibia and were subsequently divided into the control, ASP (0.1 g/L), 5-FU (0.025 g/L), and 5-FU + ASP (pre-treatment with 0.1 g/L ASP for 6 h, together with 0.025 g/L 5-FU) then cultured for 48 h. Hematopoietic cells were co-cultured on these feeder layers for 24 h. Cell proliferation, senescence, apoptosis, and oxidative indices were detected, along with stromal osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potentials. Intercellular and intracellular signaling was analyzed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Results ASP ameliorated the reactive oxygen species production/scavenge balance in PMPs; improved osteogenic differentiation; increased SCF, CXCL12, VLA-4/VCAM-1, ICAM-1/LFA1, and TPO/MPL, Ang-1/Tie-2 gene expression. Further, the ASP-treated feeder layer alleviated hematopoietic cells senescence (from 21.9 ± 1.47 to 12.1 ± 1.13); decreased P53, P21, p-GSK-3β, β-catenin and cyclin-D1 protein expression, and increased glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β protein expression in co-cultured hematopoietic cells. Discussion and conclusions ASP delayed oxidative stress-induced premature senescence of 5-FU-treated feeder co-cultured hematopoietic cells via down-regulation of overactivated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. These findings provide a new strategy for alleviating myelosuppressive stress.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharides prevents hematopoietic regression in D-Galactose-Induced aging model via attenuation of oxidative stress in hematopoietic microenvironment.

Extrinsic molecular mechanisms that regulate hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) aging are still poorly understood, and a potential protective medication needs to be explored. The senescent parameters of hematopoietic cells and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) including cell cycle analysis, senescence-associated SA-β-gal staining and signals, hematopoietic factors and cellular junction were analyzed in femur and tibia of rats. Furthermore, Sca-1+ HSPCs and BMSCs co-culture system was established to evaluate the direct effects of BMSC feeder layer to HSPCs. Oxidative DNA damage indicators in Sca-1+ HSCs and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) of BMSCs, gap junction intercellular communication between BMSCs, osteogenesis/adipogenisis differentiation balance of BMSCs were detected. In the D-gal pre-administrated rats, ASP treatment rescued senescence of hematopoietic cells and BMSCs, reserved CFU-GEMM; also, ASP treatment attenuated stromal oxidative load, ameliorated SCF, CXCL12, and GM-CSF production, increased Connexin-43 (Cx43) expression. BMSCs and Sca-1+ HSPCs co-cultivation demonstrated that ASP treatment prevented oxidative DNA damage response in co-cultured Sca-1+ HSPCs induced by D-gal pre-administration of feeder layer and the underlying mechanism may be related to ASP ameliorating feeder layer dysfunction due to D-gal induced senescence via inhibiting secretion of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and RANTES, enhancing Cx43-mediated intercellular communication, improving Runx2 expression whereas decreasing PPARγ expression in BMSCs. The antioxidant property of ASP may provide a stroma-mediated potential therapeutic strategy for HSPC aging.

Recovery of Ggt7 and Ace Expressions in the Colon Alleviates Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Rats by Specific Bioactive Polysaccharide Intervention.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes swollen joints and irreversible joint damage and may even elevate cancer risks. Several bioactive nonstarch polysaccharides (NSPs) were reported to alleviate RA, but the key colonic genes accountable for this alleviation were elusive. Using collagen-induced arthritis as an RA model, colonic candidate genes related to RA were selected by transcriptome and methylome. The key genes were determined by comparing the transcriptome, methylome, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction profiles in RA rats with and without Lycium barbarum polysaccharides' treatment and further validated using Angelica sinensis polysaccharides and Astragalus propinquus polysaccharides for comparison. Both colonic genes γ-glutamyltransferase 7 (Ggt7) and angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (Ace) were downregulated by RA, and they were upregulated after L. barbarum polysaccharides' and A. sinensis polysaccharides' intervention that reduced the RA-caused hypermethylation status in nucleotide sites in the exon/promoter region of the two genes. However, the A. propinquus polysaccharides' intervention barely reduced the hypermethylation in the corresponding sites, failing to recover the expressions of these two genes and improve RA. Therefore, the colonic Ggt7 and Ace can be considered as key genes accountable for RA alleviation by bioactive NSP intervention. This study provides a more comprehensive insight into diet intervention to improve RA.

Angelica polysaccharide ameliorates memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease rat through activating BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and its underlying mechanisms. In our study, we build the AD model by injecting Aβ25–35. Morris water maze (MWM) was applied to investigate learning and memory. Moreover, neurotransmitters, free radical, and inflammatory factors were also measured. Pathological change and neuronal death in hippocampus CA1, CA3, and DG region were detected by HE staining and Nissl staining. The neuronal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL. The expressions of caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The expressions of BDNF, TrkB, p-Akt, Akt, p-CREB, and CREB were measured by Western blot. Our results showed that ASP could ameliorate spatial learning and memory deficiency in AD rats. ASP decreased AchE level and increased the levels of Ach and chAT in AD rats. ASP could increase the activity of SOD and CAT, decrease MDA activity, and inhibit the expression levels of inflammatory factors and neurons apoptosis in AD rats. Pathological change of hippocampus CA1, CA3, and DG region was ameliorated by ASP. In addition, the effects of ASP were reversed by K252a (TrkB inhibitor). Our study demonstrated that ASP could ameliorate memory impairment in AD rat through activating BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway. Impact statement The present study demonstrated that ASP could ameliorate memory impairment through regulation of the balance of neurotransmitters, free radical metabolism, inflammation, and neurons apoptosis. Moreover, the mechanism of ASP on memory impairment may be related to BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway in AD. Our research provides an innovatively regulatory mechanism about the ASP in AD rat and points a new way to the treatment of AD.

Angelica sinensis Polysaccharides Ameliorate Stress-Induced Premature Senescence of Hematopoietic Cell via Protecting Bone Marrow Stromal Cells from Oxidative Injuries Caused by 5-Fluorouracil.

Myelosuppression is the most common complication of chemotherapy. Decline of self-renewal capacity and stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) induced by chemotherapeutic agents may be the cause of long-term myelosuppression after chemotherapy. Whether the mechanism of SIPS of hematopoietic cells relates to chemotherapeutic injury occurred in hematopoietic microenvironment (HM) is still not well elucidated. This study explored the protective effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP), an acetone extract polysaccharide found as the major effective ingredients of a traditional Chinese medicinal herb named Chinese Angelica (Dong Quai), on oxidative damage of homo sapiens bone marrow/stroma cell line (HS-5) caused by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and the effect of ASP relieving oxidative stress in HM on SIPS of hematopoietic cells. Tumor-suppressive doses of 5-FU inhibited the growth of HS-5 in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. 5-FU induced HS-5 apoptosis and also accumulated cellular hallmarks of senescence including cell cycle arrest and typical senescence-associated β-galactosidase positive staining. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was increased in 5-FU treated HS-5 cells and coinstantaneous with attenuated antioxidant capacity marked by superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Oxidative stress initiated DNA damage indicated by increased γH2AX and 8-OHdG. Oxidative damage of HS-5 cells resulted in declined hematopoietic stimulating factors including stem cell factor (SCF), stromal cell-derived factor (SDF), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), however, elevated inflammatory chemokines such as RANTES. In addition, gap junction channel protein expression and mediated intercellular communications were attenuated after 5-FU treatment. Significantly, co-culture on 5-FU treated HS-5 feeder layer resulted in less quantity of human umbilical cord blood-derived hematopoietic cells and CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), and SIPS of hematopoietic cells. However, it is noteworthy that ASP ameliorated SIPS of hematopoietic cells by the mechanism of protecting bone marrow stromal cells from chemotherapeutic injury via mitigating oxidative damage of stromal cells and improving their hematopoietic function. This study provides a new strategy to alleviate the complication of conventional cancer therapy using chemotherapeutic agents.

Extraction of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides using ultrasound-assisted way and its bioactivity

In the present article, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis were investigated. The aim of the study is to examine the extraction parameters such as ultrasound power (140–180W), the ratio of liquid to solid (5–7), extraction time (40–50min) and extraction temperature (80–100°C) and to obtain the best possible combinations of these parameters through response surface methodology (RSM). Based on contour plots and variance analysis, optimum operational conditions for maximizing polysaccharides yield were found to be 180w, 7, 45min and 90°C. Under the optimum operating conditions determined, 6.96% polysaccharides were achieved. In addition, the results showed that A. sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) could increase antioxidant enzymes activities and decrease the MDA levels in the skeletal muscle of exhaustive exercise rats. This study provides strong evidence that A. sinensis polysaccharides supplementation possessed protective effects against exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress.

Protective effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides on subacute renal damages induced by D-galactose in mice and its mechanism

To explore the protective effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides(ASP) on subacute renal damages induced by D-galactose in mice and its mechanism. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, with 10 mice in each group. The D-galactose model group was subcutaneously injected with D-galactose (120 mg x kg(-1)), qd x 42; the ASP + D-galactose model group was intraperitoneally injected with ASP since the 8th day of the replication of the D-galactose model, qd x 35; and the normal control group was subcutaneously injected with saline at the same dose and time. On the 2nd day of after the injection, the peripheral blood was collected to measure the content of BUN, Crea, UA, Cys-C; paraffin sections were made to observe the renal histomorphology by HE staining; senescence-associated β-g-alactosidase (SA-β-Gal) stain was used to observe the relative optical density (ROD) in renal tissues; transmission electron microscopy was assayed to observe the renal ultrastructure; the renal tissue homogenate was prepared to measure the content of SOD, GSH-PX, MDA; the content of AGEs and 8-OH-dG were measured by ELISA. According to the result, compared with the D-galactose model group, the ASP + D-galactose model group showed obviously decreases in the content of BUN, Crea, UA, Cysc, AGES, 8-OH-dG, the number of hardening renal corpuscle, renal capsular space and renal tubular lumen, ROD of SA-β-Gal staining positive kidney cells, mesangial cells, basement membrane thickness, podocyte secondary processes fusion and MDA and increases in the number of normal renal corpuscle, ribosome and rough endoplasmic reticulum in podocytes, the activity of SOD and GSH-PX. In Conclusion, A. sinensis polysaccharides can antagonize kidney subacute damages induced by D-galactose in mice. Its protective mechanism may be correlated with the inhibition of the oxidative stress injury.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharides inhibit endothelial progenitor cell senescence through the reduction of oxidative stress and activation of the Akt/hTERT pathway

Context: Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Apiaceae) polysaccharides (ASP) may play a key role in anti-ischemic activity. However, the anti-atherosclerotic activity and mechanism are unknown.Objective: This study investigated the protective effects of ASP against ox-LDL-induced senescence of EPCs and explored its underlying molecular mechanisms.Materials and methods: Mononuclear cells were isolated from bone marrow (BM) of SD rats and differentiated to EPCs. EPCs were exposed to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL, 10 µg/mL, 24 h) and incubated with or without high-dose (100 µg/mL, 48 h) or low-dose (20 µg/mL, 48 h) ASP. Another group of EPCs was pre-treated with Wortmannin (100 nM, 45 min), a PI3K/Akt inhibitor. EPC senescence, telomerase activity, and superoxide anion levels were assessed using SA-β-galactosidase staining, telomerase PCR-ELISA analysis, and DHE staining, respectively. The expression of related proteins, including Akt, p-Akt, hTERT, p-hTERT, and gp91phox, were detected using western blot.Results: EPCs (47.3%) were SA-β-gal positive after treatment by ox-LDL, additionally, ox-LDL significantly increased superoxide anion levels (375% versus 100%), and inhibited telomerase activity (42% versus 100%). However, the pro-senescent effect of ox-LDL was attenuated about three-fold (16.7%), superoxide anion levels were decreased more than two-fold (148%), and telomerase activity was recovered partly (88% versus 42%) in the EPCs when treated with ASP (100 µg/mL). The immunoblotting confirmed that ASP attenuated inhibition of phosphorylation of Akt and hTERT induced by ox-LDL and down-regulated increased the expression of gp91-phox. Moreover, some effects of ASP were partially abrogated in the presence of Wortmannin.Discussion: Ox-LDL induced senescence of EPCs via inhibition of telomerase activity, which was influenced by oxidative stress and the Akt/hTERT pathway. The inhibition of EPC senescence by ASP could be important for potential therapeutics.Conclusion: Treatment of EPCs with ASP remarkably attenuates the harmful effects of ox-LDL via augmentation of Akt/hTERT phosphorylation and inhibition of oxidative stress.

Metabolomics research on the hepatoprotective effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) have an established hepatoprotective effect, but the mechanism for this effect remains unclear. A novel approach using biochemical parameters coupled with metabolomics based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and chemometrics was established in this study to explain the hepatoprotective effect mechanism of ASP. The superoxide dismutase activity, malonaldehyde content, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in plasma were measured. Pathological changes in the liver were observed. Plasma and liver homogenate obtained from mice were analyzed using GC-MS. Distinct changes in metabolite patterns in the plasma and liver homogenate after being induced by carbon tetrachloride and drug intervention were observed using principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA). Potential biomarkers were found using PLS-DA and T-test. The results of the pathological changes observed in the liver, the biochemical parameters in plasma, and the metabolomics of the plasma and liver homogenate all showed that liver injury was successfully reproduced, ASP exhibited hepatoprotective effect, and the medium dose of ASP exhibited the best. Nine endogenous metabolites in the liver homogenate and ten endogenous metabolites in the plasma were all considered as potential biomarkers. They were considered to be in response to hepatoprotective effects of ASP involved in the amino acids metabolism, energy metabolism, and lipids metabolism. Therefore metabolomics is a valuable tool in measuring the efficacy and mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicines.

Angelica Sinensis polysaccharides stimulated UDP-sugar synthase genes through promoting gene expression of IGF-1 and IGF1R in chondrocytes: promoting anti-osteoarthritic activity.

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joints disease characterized by progressive degeneration of articular cartilage due to the loss of cartilage matrix. Previously, we found, for the first time, that an acidic glycan from Angelica Sinensis Polysaccharides (APSs), namely the APS-3c, could protect rat cartilage from OA due to promoting glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis in chondrocytes. In the present work, we tried to further the understanding of ASP-3c’s anti-OA activity.Methodology/Principal FindingsHuman primary chondrocytes were treated with APS-3c or/and recombinant human interleukin 1β (IL-1β). It turned out that APS-3c promoted synthesis of UDP-xylose and GAG, as well as the gene expression of UDP-sugar synthases (USSs), insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and IGF1 receptor (IGF1R), and attenuated the degenerative phenotypes, suppressed biosynthesis of UDP-sugars and GAG, and inhibited the gene expression of USSs, IGF1 and IGF1R induced by IL-1β. Then, we induced a rat OA model with papain, and found that APS-3c also stimulated GAG synthesis and gene expression of USSs, IGF1 and IGF1R in vivo. Additionally, recombinant human IGF1 and IGF1R inhibitor NP-AEW541 were applied to figure out the correlation between stimulated gene expression of USSs, IGF1 and IGF1R induced by APS-3c. It tuned out that the promoted GAG synthesis and USSs gene expression induced by APS-3c was mediated by the stimulated IGF1 and IGF1R gene expression, but not through directly activation of IGF1R signaling pathway.Conclusions/SignificancesWe demonstrated for the first time that APS-3c presented anti-OA activity through stimulating IGF-1 and IGF1R gene expression, but not directly activating the IGF1R signaling pathway, which consequently promoted UDP-sugars and GAG synthesis due to up-regulating gene expression of USSs. Our findings presented a better understanding of APS-3c’s anti-OA activity and suggested that APS-3c could potentially be a novel therapeutic agent for OA.

Experimental study on aging effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides combined with cytarabine on human leukemia KG1α cell lines

The latest findings of our laboratory showed that Angelica sinensis polysaccharide( ASP) showed a definite effect in regulating the aging of hematopoietic stem cells. Leukemia is a type of malignant hematopoietic tumor in hematopoietic stem cells. There have been no relevant reports about ASP's effect in regulating the aging of leukemia cells. In this study,human acute myeloid leukemia( AML) KG1α cell lines in logarithmic growth phase were taken as the study object,and were divided into the ASP group, the cytarabine( Ara-C) group,the ASP + Ara-C group and the control group. The groups were respectively treated with different concentration of ASP,Ara-C and ASP + Ara-C for different periods,with the aim to study the effect of ASP combined with Ara-C in regulating the aging of human acute myeloid leukemia KG1α cell lines and its relevant mechanism. The results showed that ASP,Ara-C and ASP + Ara-C could obviously inhibit KG1α cell proliferation in vitro,block the cells in G0/ G1phase. The cells showed the aging morphological feature. The percentage of positive stained aging cells was dramatically increased,and could significantly up-regulate the expression of aging-related proteins P16 and RB,which were more obvious in the ASP + Ara-C group. In conclusion,the aging mechanism of KG1α cell induced by ASP and Ara-C may be related to the regulation of the expression of aging-related proteins,suggesting that the combined administration of ASP and anticancer drugs plays a better role in the treatment of leukemia.

Polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis alleviate neuronal cell injury caused by oxidative stress.

Angelica sinensis has antioxidative and neuroprotective effects. In the present study, we aimed to determine the neuroprotective effect of polysaccharides isolated from Angelica sinensis. In a preliminary experiment, Angelica sinensis polysaccharides not only protected PC12 neuronal cells from H2O2-induced cytotoxicity, but also reduced apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, and increased the mitochondrial membrane potential induced by H2O2 treatment. In a rat model of local cerebral ischemia, we further demonstrated that Angelica sinensis polysaccharides enhanced the antioxidant activity in cerebral cortical neurons, increased the number of microvessels, and improved blood flow after ischemia. Our findings highlight the protective role of polysaccharides isolated from Angelica sinensis against nerve cell injury and impairment caused by oxidative stress.

Effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide on expression of telomere, telomerase and P53 in mice aging hematopoietic stem cells

To observe the effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) on the length of telomere, the activity of telomerase and the expression of P53 protein in mice hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and explore ASP's potential mechanism for regulating HSC aging. C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the normal group, the aging group and the intervention group. The aging group was radiated with X ray to establish the mice aging HSC model. The intervention group was orally administered with ASP during X-ray irradiation, while the normal group was orally administered with NS. Their HSCs were isolated by immunomagnetic beads. Cell cycles analysis and senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-Gal) staining were used to detect changes in aging HSCs. The expression of P53 was determined by western blot analysis. The length of telomere and the vitality of telomerase were analyzed by southern blot and TRAP-PCR, respectively. Compared with the normal group, X-ray irradiation could significantly increase the cell ratio of in HSC G1 stage, rate of SA-beta-Gal positive cells and expression of P53 protein, and reduce the length of telomere and the vitality of telomerase. Compared with the aging group, ASP could significantly inhibit the cell ratio of in HSC G1 stage and the increase in the number of SA-beta-Gal positive cells, down-regulate the expression of P53 protein, and increase the length of telomere and the vitality of telomerase in HSCs. ASP could antagonize X-ray-induced aging of HSCs, which may be related to the increase in the length of telomere and the activity of telomerase, as well as the down-regulation of the expression of P53 protein.

Extraction and chemical characterization of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides and its antioxidant activity

In the present study, the Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) extraction procedure was optimized by an L9 (34) orthogonal array experimental design (OAD) with four factors at three levels. Under the optimal extraction condition (extraction time 180min, ratio of water to solid 6, extraction temperature 100°C, and extraction number 4), extraction yield of ASP was 5.6%. Rabbits were fed for 40 days with A. sinensis polysaccharides at a dose of 150 or 300mg/kg body weight, respectively. At the end of 40 days, animals received cerebral ischemia reperfusion operation. CT perfusion imaging (CTP) analysis showed that rCBF and rCBV were significantly increased, whereas rMTT and rTTP were decreased in the ischemia cerebral tissue compared to CIR group rabbits. ASP significantly decreased oxidative damage, and increased antioxidant enzymes activities in brains of CIR animals. Moreover, ASP significantly enhanced the Ach, Na+,K+-ATPase, Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase and glucose levels, decreased AChE activity in brain tissue of the experimental animals. These results suggest a potent role of ASP in protection of brain oxidative injury in CIR animals.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharides delay aging of hematopoietic stem cells through inhibitting oxidative damge

The effect of angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) on the production of reactive oxygen specie (ROS), the capability of total anti-oxidant (T-AOC), and the expression of p16 in mRNA level in mice hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were observed to explore the underlying mechanism that ASP delay aging of HSCs in vivo. C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group, aging group, and the above groups treated with ASP. Mice were uniformly explored in X-ray (3.0 Gy/8 F) to erect model of aging. Normal and aging ASP intervention groups mice were treated with ASP by intragastric administration, while normal and aging groups were treated with equal-volume NS during X-ray irradiation. Mice HSCs were isolated by magnetic cell sorting and cultured in vitro. Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-Gal) staining was used to detect aging HSCs. Cell cycles analysis and CFU-Mix cultivation were used to evaluate the capability of self-renewing and colony forming in HSCs. The production of ROS in HSCs was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis and immunofluorescence assess, respectively. T-AOC was detected by chemical colorimetric method. The expression of p16 was determined by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Exogenous X-ray irradiation induced HSCs aging was compared with normal group without irradiation. Biological feature of HSCs in aging group with X-ray irradiation as follows: The percentage of SA-beta-Gal positive cells, the ratio of G1 stages and the production of ROS were significantly increased , the expression of p16 in mRNA level was also upregulated. The capacility of colony forming and T-AOC in HSCs were decreased. ASP could significantly decrease the percentage of SA-beta-Gal positive cells, the ratio of G1 stages and the production of ROS in HSCs, and downregulate the expression of p16 in mRNA level in HSCs contrast to aging group without ASP treatment. In addition, ASP could remarkably increase T-AOC and the capacility of colony forming in HSCs compared with aging group without ASP treatment. X-ray (3.0 Gy/8 F) could induce mice HSCs aging. ASP could delay senescence HSCs aging which maybe partly ascribed to the inhibition of oxidative damage and the downregulation of p16 mRNA expression.

Extraction optimization of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides and its antioxidant activity in vivo

Extraction of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) was optimized by the utilization of response surface methodology, RSM. Through the analysis, extraction time and water/solid were found to be the most significant factors. Based on contour plots and variance analysis, optimum operational conditions for maximizing polysaccharides yield (5.6%) were found to be extraction time 130min, water/solid 5, and extraction number 5. A. sinensis polysaccharides (150 and 300mg/kg) were administered for 15 days. The hepatoprotective activity was assessed using various biochemical parameters. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransfere (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were significantly restored toward normalization by the extracts (150 and 300mg/kg body weight). ASP (150 and 300mg/kg body weight) significantly increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes. It can be concluded that ASP possesses significant protective effect against hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). This protective effect appears due to ASP antioxidant properties.

Hematopoietic and myeloprotective activities of an acidic Angelica sinensis polysaccharide on human CD34+ stem cells

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAngelica sinensis (AS) is a Chinese herbal medicine traditionally used in prescriptions for replenishing blood and treating abnormal menstruation and other women's diseases. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to separate and identify the major hematopoietic fraction from Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASPS), and to investigate the myeloprotective activity of the major bioactive fraction of ASPS as a possible supporting agent for cancer treatments. Materials and methodsThe ASPS was fractionated with DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B column to obtain four fractions (F1, F2, F3 and F4). Each fraction was cultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) to collect conditioned medium (CM). The hematopoietic ability of various MNC-CM was then evaluated by the colony-forming assay on CD34+ cells collected by the MACS method from human umbilical cord blood (UCB). In myeloprotective experiment, Adriblastina was used to act as the myelosuppressive agent. The monosaccharide composition of ASPS was analyzed by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography-pulse amperometric detector. ResultsThe F2 fraction, which was found to have the highest hematopoietic activity, stimulated the human peripheral blood MNCs to secret GM-CSF and IL-3. F2 could also protect the hematopoietic function of CD34+ cells from Adriblastina. F2 occupies 19% of ASPS and contains 0.53% protein. The monosaccharide composition of F2 was arabinose (51.82%), fructose (1.65%), galactose (29.96%), glucose (4.78%) and galacturonic acid (14.80%), with molecular weight 2.5–295kDa. ConclusionsThe bioactive fraction identified and fractionated from ASPS may be used as a health-promoting agent for anemia patients and cancer patients under chemoradiation treatment.