Herbal Polysaccharides Research Articles

Integrated Metagenomic and Metabolomic Analyses of the Effect of Astragalus Polysaccharides on Alleviating High-Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Disorders.

Most herbal polysaccharides possess multiple benefits against metabolic disorders, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and obesity. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, male C57BL/6J mice were fed with chow or high-fat diet (HFD) with or without Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) supplementation, and gut microbial profile and metabolite profile were studied by metagenomic sequencing and untargeted metabolomics, respectively. APS was effective in alleviating HFD-induced metabolic disorders, with the alteration of gut microbiota composition and function. A total of 188 species, which mainly from Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria phyla, and 36 metabolites were markedly changed by HFD and revered by APS. Additionally, the altered glutathione metabolism and purine metabolism pathways were identified by both metagenomic function analysis and metabolite pathway enrichment analysis. Furthermore, the gut microbial alteration was associated with the changes of key intestinal metabolites. We found 31 and 20 species were correlated with purine metabolism and glutathione metabolism, respectively. Together, our results showed significant metagenomic and metabolomic changes after HFD feeding and APS intervention, revealed the potential correlation between gut microbial species and metabolites, and highlighted mechanisms of herb-derived polysaccharides by modulating gut microbiome and host metabolism underlying their benefits on metabolic disorders.

Intestinal microbes derived butyrate is related to the immunomodulatory activities of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide

Although immunomodulatory activities of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide has been investigated for many years, yet the potential contribution of its metabolite derived from intestinal microbes on immunoregulation effect has not been reported. In this study, polysaccharide DOW-5B with average molecular weight of 39.4 kDa was isolated from the stem of Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo. The carbohydrate content was 91.97% and no protein was detected. The monosaccharide analysis showed this polysaccharide was composed of glucuronic acid and glucose at a molar ratio (M/G) of 1.2:19.4. Animal test indicated DOW-5B increased the diversity of gut microbiota on mice. Beneficial microbes such as Ruminococcus, Eubacterium, Clostridium, Bifidobacterium, Parabacteroides and Akkermansiamuciniphila increased while harmful bacteria in Proteobacteria decreased. Surprisingly, DOW-5B promoted gut microbes to generate more butyrate and mainly produced by Parabacteroides_sp_HGS0025. Further, we found the health of large intestine as well as immunity response of mice was improved. In addition, Parabacteroides_sp_HGS0025 positively correlated with butyrate, IgM, IL-10, and TNF-α products in intestine and mice blood, respectively. The data suggested that Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide has function on immunity may be mediated by butyrate. It adds new evidence to support the basis of how herbal polysaccharides affect immunity.

Anti-elastase and anti-collagenase potential of Lactobacilli exopolysaccharides on human fibroblast

Polysaccharides could be used as biodegradable and biocompatible polymers for scaffolds and carriers matrix. Numerous algal, fungi and herbal polysaccharides can attenuate degradation of skin matrix by the inhibition of elastase, collagenase and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In this study, we investigate anti-elastase and anti-collagenase potential of Lactobacilli exopolysaccharides (LEPS) on normal human fibroblast. Among 60 Lactobacilli isolated from herbal plants and dairy products, selected LEPS showed high anti-collagenase (up to 100%), anti-elastase (up to 87%) and antioxidant activity (up to 60%). Most of them had no cytotoxicity effect on fibroblast, and some of them promote cell proliferation (up to 10%). In scratch assay, all the investigated EPSs stimulated wound healing process in fibroblast (up to 99%). MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP9 and MMP10 were down-regulated significantly and TIMP1 and TIMP2 were up-regulated slightly in LEPS of B9-1 from L. casei with high anti-collagenase and anti-elastase activity; however, no meaningful alteration was observed in MMPs expression level for LEPS of P35 from L. plantarum with low anti-collagenase and anti-elastase activity. By consideration of high anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, antioxidant activity and wound healing of LEPS, they could be considered as good candidate of skin anti-aging agents for tissue engineering and skin regeneration scaffolds.

Immunostimulatory activity of water-extractable polysaccharides from Cistanche deserticola as a plant adjuvant in vitro and in vivo.

A safe and effective vaccine adjuvant is important in modern vaccines. Various Chinese herbal polysaccharides can activate the immune system. Cistanche deserticola (CD) is a traditional Chinese herb and an adjuvant candidate. Here, we confirmed that water-extractable polysaccharides of CD (WPCD) could modulate immune responses in vitro and in vivo. In a dose-dependent manner, WPCD significantly promoted the maturation and function of murine marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) through up-regulating the expression levels of MHC-II, CD86, CD80, and CD40, allogenic T cell proliferation, and the yields of IL-12 and TNF-α via toll-like receptor4 (TLR4), as indicated by in vitro experiments. In addition, its immunomodulatory activity was also observed in mice. WPCD effectively improved the titers of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a and markedly enhanced the proliferation of T and B cells, the production of IFN-γ and IL-4 in CD4+ T cells and the expression level of IFN-γ in CD8+ T cells better than Alum. Furthermore, WPCD could markedly up-regulate the expression levels of CD40 and CD80 on DCs in spleen and down-regulate the Treg frequency. The study suggests that polysaccharides of Cistanche deserticola are a safe and effective vaccine adjuvant for eliciting both humoral immunity and cellular immunity by activating DCs via TLR4 signaling pathway.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction May Not Be a Better Alternative Approach than Conventional Boiling for Extracting Polysaccharides from Herbal Medicines.

In clinical practice polysaccharides from herbal medicines are conventionally prepared by boiling water extraction (BWE), while ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) has often been used instead employed in laboratory research due to its strong extraction ability and efficiency. However, if and how the polysaccharides obtained by UAE and BWE are comparable, and hence whether the UAE-based research is instructive for the actual usage of herbal polysaccharides still requires further evaluation. To address this issue, here we chemically analyzed and compared the UAE- and BWE-obtained polysaccharides from three herbal medicines, i.e., Ginseng Radix, Astragali Radix and Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis. Then, the spike recovery of two series of standard dextran and pullulan by UAE and BWE was tested. The results showed that the polysaccharides from the herbal medicines by UAE were quantitatively and qualitatively different with those by BWE. The powerful extraction ability and polysaccharide degradation caused by ultrasound collectively contributed to these differences. It was then revealed that not only the UAE conditions but also the polysaccharide structures could affect the extraction ability and polysaccharide degradation. Given these, we highly recommended that the effects of UAE on polysaccharides from herbal medicines should be first carefully considered before employing it in relevant chemical and pharmacological analysis.

The protective effect of herbal polysaccharides on ischemia-reperfusion injury

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is one of the common ischemic diseases in organs such as brain, heart, kidney, liver, and intestine, which often leads to cell apoptosis and organ failure. The study of herbal polysaccharides for IR injury has a long time, and has laid a solid foundation for the next research work. The purpose of this review is to objectively appraise the current experimental research situation of treating IR injury in organs by polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicines. Twenty-four kinds of polysaccharides that show effective treatment in organ ischemia were mentioned on the review. The results indicate that herbal polysaccharides provide a good prospect in prevention and treatment of IR injury, and these kinds of polysaccharides have various mechanisms of action, including (i) modifying the function of neurosystem, (ii) reducing the infarct volume, malondiadehyde (MDA) content, and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, (iii) elevating the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and increasing the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine. As the polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicines are a promising solution for IR injury, it is necessary to review the reported researches so as to point out the direction of application and exploitation in the future.

Polysaccharides from Medicinal Herbs As Potential Therapeutics for Aging and Age-Related Neurodegeneration

Recent studies have uncovered important aging clues, including free radicals, inflammation, telomeres, and life span pathways. Strategies to regulate aging-associated signaling pathways are expected to be effective in the delay and prevention of age-related disorders. For example, herbal polysaccharides with considerable anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation capacities have been shown to be beneficial in aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Polysaccharides capable of reducing cellular senescence and modulating life span via telomere and insulin pathways have also been found to have the potential to inhibit protein aggregation and aggregation-associated neurodegeneration. Here we present the current status of polysaccharides in anti-aging and anti-neurodegenerative studies.

Adjuvant activity of Chinese herbal polysaccharides in inactivated veterinary rabies vaccines

Four botanical polysaccharide preparations (from Astragalus, Echinacea, wolfberry, and kelp) were evaluated as immunopotentiators/adjuvants of a veterinary rabies vaccine. Results showed that lymphocyte proliferation and some cytokines were significantly elevated, with cellular immune responses skewed towards Th1 and Tc1. All four polysaccharides produced accelerated and enhanced effects on rabies-neutralizing antibody responses in mice and dogs. The results also indicated that certain botanical polysaccharides could be used in rabies vaccine formulations for early and persistent prophylaxis.

Antitussive Effect of a Pectic Arabinogalactans Isolated from Adhatoda Vasica in Vivo Experimental Conditions

Antitussive Effect of a Pectic Arabinogalactans Isolated from Adhatoda Vasica in Vivo Experimental Conditions The herbal polysaccharides have been the subject of many studies for a very long time, especially because of their physical properties, chemical and physical modification and application. Adhatoda vasica has also been traditionally included in preparations for the relief of cough, asthma and bronchitis recommended by Ayurvedic physicians for the management of various types of respiratory disorders. In this study, we have focused on activities of pectic arabinogalactans isolated from Adhatoda vasica on experimentally induced cough reflex and the changes of specific airway resistance in vivo conditions. The substance from leaves of Adhatoda vasica was marked as P-601 and the substance from stem bark of this shrub as P-602. The aim of presented study was to compare the antitussive activity of isolated arabinogalactans with cough suppressive activity of codeine ("positive" control) and effect acquired after application of water for injection ("negative" control). Conscious male Trik guinea pigs (200-350g) were exposed to citric acid aerosol. Peroral administration of these substances in a dose of 50 mg.kg-1 body weight decreased the number of citric acid induced cough efforts in guinea pigs more effectively than codeine. They did not induce any significant changes in the values of specific airway resistance and did not provoke any observable adverse effects. Our test results confirmed that polysaccharides isolated from Adhatoda vasica in vivo conditions have expressive antitussive effect compared with the oldest and the most effective cough suppressive agent - the codeine. The positive thing is the studied substances, despite strong supressive activity, did not induced any adverse side effects.

Immunomodulatory activities of five clinically used Chinese herbal polysaccharides

Polysaccharide is a natural macromolecular compound with complex, important and multifaceted biological activities. Some of polysaccharides have been marketed in China as drugs or healthy products. More studies confirm that the active ingredient of many traditional Chinese medicine exist in the form of polysaccharides. They play a role in disease therapy by activating immune cells and the complement system; regulating the cytokines expression; promoting the production of antibodies; inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and inducing tumor cell apoptosis; inhibiting virus entering cells and replication; increasing activity of antioxidant enzyme; scavenging free radicals; and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. In this review, we focus on the immunomodulatory effects and its possible mechanism of polysaccharides from Chinese herbal polysaccharides products, including Lentinan, Astragalus polysaccharide, Polyporus polysaccharide and Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide. The immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides were categorized in the paper into general immunoregulatory activity, anti-tumor, anti-infections, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-mutagenic and radioprotective, anti-complementary, anti-adhesive, and anti-allergy since all the activities are related to modulate immune responses by the polysaccharides. Also the challenges in the research of polysaccharides will be discussed.

Effect of four Chinese herbal polysaccharides on proliferation of mouse splenic lymphocytes

Effect of four Chinese herbal polysaccharides on proliferation of mouse splenic lymphocytes

Effects of Astragalus Polysaccharides, Achyranthes bidentata Polysaccharides, and Acantbepanax senticosus Saponin on the Performance and Immunity in Weaned Pigs

Two trials were conducted to study the effects of two Chinese herbal polysaccharides, Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) and Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides (ABPS), and one Chinese herbal saponin, Acantbepanax senticosus saponin (ASS), on the immunity and growth performance of weaned pigs. Experiment 1 was a 14-day growth assay, in which 32 weaned pigs were randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments: i) 0.05% talcum powder control; ii) 0.05% APS; iii) 0.05% mixture of APS and ASS in a 1:1 ratio by weight; and iv) 0.05% mixture of APS, ASS, and ABPS in a ratio of 1:1:1 by weight. Blood samples were collected on day 14 to determine plasma parameters. Feed intake, body weight gain, and feed efficiency were also determined. Experiment 2 was a 21-day immunity assay, in which 16 weaned pigs were randomly allotted to one of two dietary treatments: i) 0.05% talcum powder control; and ii) 0.05% mixture of APS and ASS in a 1:1 ratio by weight. On day 21, pigs were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 3 h later blood samples were collected and analyzed for lymphocyte proliferation as well as interleukin 6 (IL-6), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), growth hormone (GH), and cortisol levels. In Experiment 1, feeding Chinese herbal polysaccharides and saponin increased growth performance of the pigs. The effects of the mixture of APS and ASS were especially notable, as there was a significant improvement in growth performance compared with the control (p 0.05). In Experiment 2, Chinese herbal polysaccharides and saponin showed immunostimulating effects. The level of cortisol, GH, and IGF-I were significantly increased (p>0.05), and the level of IL-6 showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the APS and ASS treatment after the LPS challenge. The mixture of APS and ASS could stimulate the blood lymphocyte proliferation significantly whether the LPS was injected or not (p<0.05). These results show that Chinese herbal extracts can improve growth performance and stimulate immunity of weaned pigs. A mixture of APS and ASS, compared with APS alone, could be a new kind of immunostimulant for weaned pigs, which could result in greater positive effects on their growth performance and immunity.

Extraction and Purification of a Lectin from Red Kidney Bean and Preliminary Immune Function Studies of the Lectin and Four Chinese Herbal Polysaccharides

Reversed micelles were used to extract lectin from red kidney beans and factors affecting reverse micellar systems (pH value, ionic strength and extraction time) were studied. The optimal conditions were extraction at pH 4–6, back extraction at pH 9–11, ion strength at 0.15 M NaCl, extraction for 4–6 minutes and back extraction for 8 minutes. The reverse micellar system was compared with traditional extraction methods and demonstrated to be a time-saving method for the extraction of red kidney bean lectin. Mitogenic activity of the lectin was reasonably good compared with commercial phytohemagglutinin (extracted from Phaseolus vulgaris) Mitogenic properties of the lectin were enhanced when four Chinese herbal polysaccharides were applied concurrently, among which 50 μg/mL Astragalus mongholicus polysaccharides (APS) with 12.5 μg/mL red kidney bean lectin yielded the highest mitogenic activity and 100 mg/kg/bw APS with 12.5 mg/kg/bw red kidney bean lectin elevated mouse nonspecific immunity.

Immunopotentiating Effects of Four Chinese Herbal Polysaccharides Administered at Vaccination in Chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 4 Chinese herbal polysaccharides on the production of serum antibodies and the proliferation of peripheral T lymphocytes, including subpopulations in vaccinated chickens. A total of 450 chickens were randomly assigned to 9 groups at 14 d of age and vaccinated first with live Newcastle disease (ND)-infectious bronchitis virus vaccine, and second with ND-infectious bronchitis oil adjuvant vaccine at 28 d of age. At the same time as the first vaccination, the chickens in groups 1 to 8 were intramuscularly injected with 4 polysaccharides at high and low dosages, respectively, once a day for 3 successive days starting on the day of the first vaccination. Group 9 (control group) was injected in the same manner with saline instead of a polysaccharide. On d 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49 after the first vaccination, the temporal changes in serum ND hemagglutination inhibition antibody titer were determined by the micromethod. On d 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 after the first vaccination, the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to concanavalin A stimulation as well as the proportions of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method and flow cytometry, respectively. The results showed that astragalus polysaccharide and isatis root polysaccharide at low dosages, and achyranthes root polysaccharide and Chinese yam polysaccharide at high dosages significantly enhanced the ND antibody titers, concanavalin A-induced proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes, and ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ (P < 0.05). Collectively, these findings indicate that the 4 polysaccharides possess significant immune-enhancing properties in chickens. This finding may have direct application in vaccine design and other strategies designed to potentiate immune system development and function in chickens.

Effects of Chinese herbal polysaccharides on the immunity and growth performance of young broilers

Two trials were conducted to study the effects of two Chinese herbal polysaccharides [achyranthan (ACH), a low-molecular-weight polysaccharide, and astragalan (APS), a high-molecular-weight polysaccaride] on the immunity and growth performance of young broilers. Trial 1 was a 28-d growth assay, in which 7-d-old broilers (n = 240) were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments, with eight replicate pens per treatment and ten chickens per pen. Dietary treatments included a control corn-soy-fishmeal (Treatment 1), a diet with 200 mg/kg APS (Treatment 2), and a diet with 200 mg/kg ACH (Treatment 3). Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture on Days 7, 14, 21, and 28 for determination of serum parameters, and chickens were killed on Day 28 to measure immune organ indexes. Trial 2 was an in vitro trial to study the effects of different concentrations of polysaccharides on broiler splenocyte functions. In Trial 1, feeding either APS or ACH had no significant effects on growth performance of broilers relative to the control. However, compared to the control, feeding ACH significantly increased microhemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers, bursa of Fabricius index, serum albumin, serum calcium, and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations at Day 28 (P < or = 0.05). In Trial 2, both polysaccharides showed significant immunostimulating effects. They increased NO and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production of splenocytes and enhanced splenocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Those results indicate that the immunostimulating effects of APS are not as pronounced as those of ACH. Achyranthan showed immunostimulating effects in both the growth assay and in vitro studies. Therefore, ACH may be a Chinese herbal polysaccharide that has the potential to be used as a feed additive to improve broilers' immunity.