Sugar Residues Research Articles

Structural analysis of Pleurotus ferulae polysaccharide and its effects on plant fungal disease and plant growth

A novel polysaccharide, named as PFP1–1 (23 kDa), was isolated from the fruiting body of Pleurotus ferulae. Structural analysis revealed that PFP1–1 is primarily composed of mannose, galactose, glucose and fucose, with a molar ratio of 41.50:41.92:4.65:1.93. Infrared spectroscopy analysis showed the presence of characteristic absorption peaks associated with polysaccharides. Further analysis using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) indicated that the polysaccharide mainly composed of → 6) -α-D-Galp- (1 →, → 2,6) -α-D-Galp- (1 → and a small amount of → 4) -α-D-Glcp- (1 →. The branched chain is mainly composed of β-D-Manp- (1 → and α-D-Glcp- (1 → connected at the O-2 position of the sugar residue → 2,6) -α-D-Galp- (1 →. PFP1–1 exhibited significant antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and promoted cucumber plant growth. The mycelial growth inhibition rate of PFP1–1 against R. solani reached 70 %. In pot experiments, cucumber seedlings treated with PFP1–1 demonstrated resistance to R. solani infection and the incidence rate was significantly reduced to 22.92 %. PFP1–1 increased the root length and fresh weight of cucumber seedlings and enhanced the stress and disease resistance of plants by increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. In conclusion, the present study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for the application of P. ferulae polysaccharide in promoting plant growth and controlling plant diseases.

Melt Polycondensation Strategy to Access Unexplored l-Amino Acid and Sugar Copolymers.

Biodegradable polymers from bioresources are highly in demand for the development of sustainable polymer platforms for commodity plastics and in the biomedical field. Here, an elegant one-pot synthetic strategy is developed, for the first time, to access unexplored hybrid polymers from two naturally abundant resources: carbohydrates (sugars) and l-amino acids. A bottleneck in the synthetic strategy is overcome by tailor-making d-mannitol-based six- and five-membered bicyclic acetalized diols, and their structures are confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and 2D NMR spectroscopy. l-Amino acids are converted into ester-urethane functional monomers, and they are polymerized with sugar-diols under solvent-free melt polycondensation to yield biodegradable poly(ester-urethane)s. Acid-catalyzed deprotection yielded amphiphilic polymers having exclusively alternating residues of sugar and l-amino acid in the polymer backbone. The polymer is self-assembled into 200 ± 10 nm sized nanoparticles that can encapsulate fluorescent dyes, are nontoxic to cells up to 250 μg/mL, and are readily endocytosed for lysosomal enzymatic biodegradation at the cellular level.

Antioxidant property and structural characteristics of exopolysaccharides derived from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum VAL6

The novel exopolysaccharides (EPS) derived from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum VAL6, a species of lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented vegetable samples in Vietnam, show promising potential as a natural alternative to commercial additives. Among the six isolates, L. plantarum VAL6 exhibited remarkable EPS production, reaching 5.72 g/L, surpassing other isolated strains. The characteristics of the EPS extracted from L. plantarum VAL6 were determined through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis and Gas Chromatography with Flame-Ionization Detection. The monosaccharide composition of the EPS was found to contain mannose, glucose, rhamnose, and galactose in molar ratios of 71.98: 23.41: 2.54: 2.07. NMR analysis revealed the presence of both alpha and beta configurations of sugar residues in the EPS structure. In vitro antioxidant activity testing demonstrated that the EPS exhibited significant antioxidant properties, with 2,2-Diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl free radical scavenging capacity of 14.07 µmol TE/g and a total antioxidant capacity of 8.00 (mg AAE/g). The simultaneous presence of both alpha and beta configurations, combined with the high mannose content in the molecular structure of the EPS produced by L. plantarum VAL6, may be the key factors governing their observed antioxidant properties. These findings collectively indicate that the EPS produced by L. plantarum VAL6, as a natural compound, holds great potential for development as a natural antioxidant or functional additive in the food industry.

Microbial Polysaccharides as Functional Components of Packaging and Drug Delivery Applications.

This review examines microbial polysaccharides' properties relevant to their use in packaging and pharmaceutical applications. Microbial polysaccharides are produced by enzymes found in the cell walls of microbes. Xanthan gum, curdlan gum, pullulan, and bacterial cellulose are high-molecular-weight substances consisting of sugar residues linked by glycoside bonds. These polysaccharides have linear or highly branched molecular structures. Packaging based on microbial polysaccharides is readily biodegradable and can be considered as a renewable energy source with the potential to reduce environmental impact. In addition, microbial polysaccharides have antioxidant and prebiotic properties. The physico-chemical properties of microbial polysaccharide-based films, including tensile strength and elongation at break, are also evaluated. These materials' potential as multifunctional packaging solutions in the food industry is demonstrated. In addition, their possible use in medicine as a drug delivery system is also considered.

Enhancing compost quality through biochar and oyster shell amendments in the co-composting of seaweed and sugar residue

Aquaculture and agricultural production generate substantial amounts of waste, including seaweed (which has plant-stimulating properties), oyster shells, and sugar residues. Through composting and appropriate management, these wastes have the potential to be converted into beneficial soil amendments. However, there is a lack of research exploring the potential of composting in promoting the conversion of seaweed into more stable humified forms, as well as in assessing whether composted seaweed retains its beneficial effects on plant growth. Additionally, studies on using oyster shells as additives to reduce waste pressure and comparing their effectiveness with biochar are relatively scarce. This study examines the impact of incorporating 5% corn stover biochar (T1), 10% biochar (T2), and 10% oyster shell powder (T3) on key physicochemical properties, product quality, and microbial community dynamics during the co-composting of seaweed and sugar residues. Results indicate that organic matter (OM) loss in T1 and T2 increased by 31.2% and 26.4%, respectively, compared to the control (CK). Moreover, Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that humic substances in T1 and T2 surged by 434% and 423%, respectively, far exceeding the 289% increase in CK. The 10% biochar treatment also improved alginate degradation and seed germination index, due to the presence of biostimulants in seaweed and an increased abundance of Cobetia. Microbial analysis post-composting showed that T2 and T3 significantly enhanced the diversity and richness of bacterial communities. Notably, although oyster shell powder did not improve the humification degree of compost as significantly as biochar, it achieved effective weight reduction of waste (OM loss of 43.57%, far exceeding CK's 35.34%) without hindering the composting process. All four compost treatments retained the plant-stimulating effects of seaweed and facilitated alginate degradation. These results underscore the potential of biochar to enhance composting efficiency and utilize composting to process large quantities of oyster shell waste.

Unveiling the structural characteristics and anti-inflammatory potential of a novel polysaccharide from sweet potato peels

Sweet potato tubers generate a significant amount of peel waste during starch production, leading to resource inefficiency and environmental pollution. This research focused on the isolation/purification of a novel polysaccharide from sweet potato peel, named as sweet potato polysaccharide (SPP-W). The SPP-W has a molecular weight of 5.764 kDa and consist of glucose monosaccharides. The backbone of SPP-W was composed of →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, and →3,4)-β-D-Glcp-(1→. The branched chain was α-D-Glcp-(1→ linked to the O-6 position of the sugar residue→4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ and the O-3 position of the sugar residue→3,4)- β-D-Glcp-(1→ as confirmed by methylation and NMR analysis. SPP-W was found helpful in reducing the excessive NO, up-regulating IL-10, down-regulating the release of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α with LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell inflammation model. Furthermore, SPP-W effectively mitigates oxidative stress by reducing ROS levels, preventing nuclear damage, and preserving mitochondrial membrane potential in the context of inflammation. Immunoassays demonstrated that the clearance of endogenous ROS and the improvement of inflammatory conditions were attributable to the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway by SPP-W. Conclusively, SPP-W holds promise as a potential active ingredient for anti-inflammatory functional foods, offering unique and beneficial properties for further research and development.

Anti-inflammatory activity and underlying mechanism against sepsis-induced acute lung injury of a low-molecular-weight polysaccharide from the root of Stemona tuberosa Lour

The root of Stemona tuberosa Lour has been used to treat tuberculosis, scabies, and eczema. Polysaccharides are among its main bioactive ingredients. A low-molecular-weight (1819 Da) polysaccharide (SPS2-A) was obtained from the root of S. tuberosa Lour by optimizing three-phase partitioning, purified using an ion chromatography column, and its effects and mechanisms were investigated. Structural analysis revealed that SPS2-A contained arabinose, galactose (Gal), glucose (Glc), xylose, and mannose. The SPS2-A backbone structure comprised sugar residues →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →4)-α-D-Galp-(1→, and →4,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, while the side chain primarily comprised α-D-Glcp-(1 → connected to the O-6 position of the residue →4,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→. In vitro, SPS2-A downregulated the expression of interleukin-6 in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. In vivo, SPS2-A significantly downregulated the expression of myeloperoxidase, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue. Western blotting analysis indicated that SPS2-A reduced lung inflammation in mice with sepsis-induced acute lung injury by activating the nuclear factor κB pathway. These results suggest that SPS2-A is a potential anti-inflammatory candidate for the treatment of sepsis-induced acute lung injury.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of nature-inspired phenacyl glycosides

Phenylethanoid glycosides are a well-studied class of bioactive compounds found throughout the plant kingdom. In contrast, research on the synthesis and pharmacological activity of phenacyl glycosides, a specific subgroup of phenylethanoid glycosides with a ketone functionality at the alpha position of the phenol ring, has been limited. In this study, we report the synthesis, cytotoxic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory evaluation of a series of 18 4′-hydroxyphenacyl glycosides. These compounds consist of six different sugar residues (β-d-glucose, β-d-galactose, α-l-arabinose, β-d-xylose, α-l-rhamnose, and β-d-glucuronic acid) and display three distinct methoxylation patterns at the phenacyl ring, similar to the substitution motifs of anthocyanins. We obtained the target phenacyl glycosides in high yield and stereoselectivity through the coupling of benzoyl-protected trichloroacetimidate glycosyl donors and corresponding acetophenones. Our work represents the first total synthesis of the natural products 4′-hydroxyphenacyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and 4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenacyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (2). None of the phenacyl glycosides showed cytotoxicity against the tested cell lines. Notably, several of the synthesized compounds exhibited antiviral activity, with natural product 2 being the most active against herpes simplex virus type 1, while phenacyl arabinoside 9 and natural product 2 were the most active against human coronavirus OC43. Natural product 2 significantly inhibited the production of interleukin-6 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglia cells. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of the sugar residue and phenacyl ring substitution pattern in modulating the antiviral activity of phenacyl glycosides. Natural product 2 and phenacyl arabinoside 9 emerge as promising leads for the development of antiviral agents.

Different microbiota modulation and metabolites generation of five dietary glycans during in vitro gut fermentation are determined by their monosaccharide profiles

Dietary oligo- and polysaccharides modulate gut microbiota and thus exert prebiotic activity, which is determined by their heterogeneous structure. To explore the correlations between monosaccharide profile and microbial community, simulated gut fermentation of different glycans, including arabinan (ArB), galactooligosaccharide (GOS), arabinogalactan (ArG), rhamnogalacturonan (RhG), and xyloglucan (XyG) that are characterized by typical sugar residues were performed. Results showed that RhG displayed high contents of galacturonic acid (344.79 mg/g), rhamnose (171.70 mg/g), and galactose (151.77 mg/g), and the degradation ratio of them after fermentation was 73.87 %, 84.96 %, and 87.11 %, respectively. Meanwhile, the relative abundance of glycan-degrading bacteria Bacteroides in the RhG was boosted from 4 h (4.97 %) to 48 h (36.45 %). Butyrate-generating bacteria Megasphaera (56.69 %) and Bifidobacterium (28.02 %) are dominant genera in the ArB, which generated the highest concentration of carbohydrate-metabolite (94.58 mmol/L) in terms of acetate, propionate, butyrate and valerate, followed by the ArG (87.36 mmol/L). However, ammonia generation of the ArG increased rapidly, representing the highest content of protein-metabolite (66.36 mmol/L) including ammonia, isobutyrate, and isovalerate. As compared, metabolites generated from protein and carbohydrates grow steadily at a low level during the XyG fermentation. Correlation analysis further indicated that Bacteroides was positively correlated with propionate (p < 0.001), galacturonic acid (p < 0.001), and rhamnose (p < 0.05), while Bifidobacterium has positive correlation with butyrate and arabinose (p < 0.01). Overall, monosaccharides composition in the different oligo- and polysaccharides induces distinct responses of the dominant microbiota and thus modulates the subsequent fermentation metabolites of carbohydrate and protein, promoting a deep understanding of the structure-fermentation relationship of dietary glycans.

Production, Purification, and Characterization of a Novel Exopolysaccharide from Probiotic Lactobacillus amylovorus: MTCC 8129.

Extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) produced by Lactic Acid Bacteria have an individual effect on the flavour and consistency of novel food materials, as well as potential therapeutic applications. The purpose of this study was to create, improve, and characterise EPS from Lactobacillus amylovorus MTCC 8129. FTIR examination showed the compound's composition (acetyl group, hydroxy group, ring structure) as well as the numerous interlinks between sugar residues, which were then validated by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric examination showed that the EPS exhibited resistance to heat at a temperature of 640°C, with antioxidant levels ranging from 70 to 85% and emulsification activity above 50%. Furthermore, it has 180% water holding capacity and 140% oil holding capacity. Based on these findings, it seems that the EPS that was reviewed might potentially be an advantageous addition to the food processing industry.

Structural elucidation of a capsular polysaccharide from Bacteroides uniformis and its ameliorative impact on DSS-induced colitis in mice

Capsular polysaccharides derived from Bacteroides species have emerged as potential mitigators of intestinal inflammation in murine models. However, research on capsular polysaccharides from B. uniformis, a Bacteroides species with reduced abundance in colons of patients with ulcerative colitis, remains scarce. In this study, we extracted a neutral polysaccharide component from B. uniformis ATCC8492, termed BUCPS1B, using ultrasonic disruption, ethanol precipitation, and anion exchange chromatography. Structural characterization revealed BUCPS1B as a water-soluble polysaccharide with an α-1,4-glucan main chain adorned with minor substituent sugar residues. BUCPS1B alleviated intestinal inflammation in a mouse model of colitis and induced polarization of macrophages into M2-type. Furthermore, BUCPS1B modulated the gut microbiota composition, increased the abundance of the probiotic Akkermansia muciniphila and altered the gut metabolic profile to promote phenylalanine and short chain fatty acids metabolism. BUCPS1B is therefore a promising candidate to prevent inflammation and augment intestinal health.

Cyanobacterial Ampholyte Hydrogels Developed by the Cationization of Sulfated Polysaccharides and Their Cell-Compatibility.

Sacran is a cyanobacterial supergiant polysaccharide with carboxylate and sulfate groups that exhibits antiallergic and antiinflammatory properties. However, its high anionic functions restrict cell compatibility. Quaternary ammonium groups were substituted to form sacran ampholytes, and the cell compatibility of the cationized sacran hydrogels was evaluated. The cationization process involved the reaction of N-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)trimethylammonium chloride with the primary amine or hydroxyl groups of sacran. The degree of cationization ranged from 32 to 87% for sugar residues. Hydrogels of sacran ampholytes were prepared by annealing their dried sheets by thermal cross-linking; these hydrogels exhibited anisotropic expansion properties. The water contact angle on the hydrogels decreased from 26.5 to 15.3° with an increase in the degree of cationization, thereby enhancing hydrophilicity. The IC50 values of sacran ampholytes decreased with an increased degree of cationization, resulting in a reduction in cytotoxicity toward the L-929 mouse fibroblast cell line. This reduction was associated with an increase in the cell proliferation density after 3 days of incubation. Scanning electron microscopy images showed fibroblast intercellular connections. Therefore, the sacran ampholyte hydrogel exhibited increased hydrophilicity and cell compatibility, which is beneficial for various biomedical applications.

In vitro fecal fermentation characteristics and dynamic changes in physicochemical and structural properties of oat β-glucan

Oat β-glucan (OG) is a common food in many diets, but the relationship between the structural changes of dietary fibre and the dynamic shifts in gut microbiota composition remains unclear. In this study, the dynamic variations of physicochemical and structural characteristics of OG at different fermentation stages were studied using an in vitro porcine colonic digestion model. lMeanwhile, the correlation between the molecular structure changes of OG and its regulation of gut microorganisms during fermentation was studied. The molecular weight of OG decreased with the prolongation of fermentation time due to the decomposition of the glucoside bond by gut microorganisms. Methylation analysis showed that the sugar residues in OG mainly included T-Glcp, 3-Glcp and 4-Glcp, while the proportions of 3-Glcp and 4-Glcp did not change significantly during the process of fermentation, demonstrating that gut microorganisms could equally decompose β-(1, 3) and β-(1, 4) glucoside bonds. During the fermentation process, OG inhibited the growth of harmful bacteria while promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, especially Lactobacillus. Compared with gum arabic, hawthorn pectin, arabinoxylan, guar gum and dendrobium officinale polysaccharide, OG showed the fastest fermentation rate and highest Lactobacillus abundance. This study's results offer a scientific foundation for enhancing the conversion of oat β-glucan (OG) into prebiotics within the functional food industry. Additionally, they provide valuable insights into the reciprocal regulation between other structural polysaccharides and gut microorganisms.

A chemo-enzymatic method for preparation of saturated oligosaccharides from alginate and other uronic acid-containing polysaccharides

Oligosaccharides from uronic acid-containing polysaccharides can be produced either by chemical or enzymatic degradation. The benefit of using enzymes, called lyases, is their high specificity for various glycosidic linkages. Lyases cleave the polysaccharide chain by an β-elimination reaction, yielding oligosaccharides with an unsaturated sugar (4-deoxy-l-erythro-hex-4-enepyranosyluronate) at the non-reducing end. In this work we have systematically studied acid degradation of unsaturated uronic acid oligosaccharides. Based on these findings, a method for preparing saturated oligosaccharides by enzymatic degradation of uronic acid-containing polysaccharides was developed. This results in oligosaccharides with a pre-defined distribution and proportion of sugar residues compared to the products of chemical degradation, while maintaining the chemical structure of the non-reducing end. The described method was demonstrated for generating saturated oligosaccharides of alginate, heparin and polygalacturonic acid. In the case of alginate, the ratio of hydrolysis rate of Δ-G and Δ-M linkages to that of G-G and M-M linkages, respectively, was found to be approximately 65 and 43, at pH* 3.4, 90 °C. Finally, this method has been demonstrated to be superior in the production of α-l-guluronate oligosaccharides with a lower content of β-d-mannuronate residues compared to what can be achieved using chemical depolymerization alone.

Preparation of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata Polysaccharide Iron(III) Complex and Evaluation of Its Biological Activity.

This study extracted and purified a polysaccharide from Rehmanniae radix praeparata (RGP) with an average molecular weight. The structural characteristics of RGP and its iron (III) complex, RGP-Fe(III), were examined for their antioxidant properties and potential in treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Analysis revealed that RGP comprised Man, Rha, Gal, and Xyl, with a sugar residue skeleton featuring 1→3; 1→2, 3; and 1→2, 3, 4 linkages, among others. RGP-Fe(III) had a molecular weight of 4.39×104 Da. Notably, RGP-Fe(III) exhibited superior antioxidant activity compared to RGP alone. In IDA rat models, treatment with RGP-Fe(III) led to increased weight gain, restoration of key blood parameters including hemoglobin, red blood cells, and mean hemoglobin content, elevated serum iron levels, and decreased total iron-binding capacity. Histological examination revealed no observable toxic 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.

Structural characterization and anti-ageing activity of polysaccharide from Exocarpium Citrulli

In this investigation, we have effectively extracted and characterized a new Exocarpium Citrulli polysaccharide (ECP-2) with a molecular weight of 1.67 × 106 Da using hot water extraction and ethanol precipitation techniques. Analysis was performed using high performance gel permeation chromatography, ion chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy. ECP-2 is primarily composed of galactose (32.32 %), arabinose (25.42 %), and mannose (19.75 %). Fuc, Rha, Ara, Gal, Glc, Man, and GalA molar ratios in ECP-2 is 4.65:1.50:25.42:32.32:5.78:19.75:10.57. Based on structural studies, the primary sugar residues of ECP-2 are T-α-L-Araf-(1→, →5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, T-α-D-Manp-(1→ and →3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→. Furthermore, the anti-aging effect of ECP-2 in D-galactose model mice, while the results indicate that ECP-2 significantly enhances the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in D-galactose model control mice. Additionally, ECP-2 effectively eliminated the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde, thereby restoring normal growth of the mice by regulating their defense mechanism. In conclusion, the polysaccharides of Exocarpium Citrulli, particularly ECP-2, may be appropriate for use in natural medicines and functional foods to halt or slow the aging process.

Determining the Affinity and Kinetics of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Galectin-1 Using Surface Plasmon Resonance.

The beta-galactoside-binding mammalian lectin galectin-1 can bind, via its carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD), to various cell surface glycoproteins and has been implicated in a range of cancers. As a consequence of binding to sugar residues on cell surface receptors, it has been shown to have a pleiotropic effect across many cell types and mechanisms, resulting in immune system modulation and cancer progression. As a result, it has started to become a therapeutic target for both small and large molecules. In previous studies, we used fluorescence polarization (FP) assays to determine KD values to screen and triage small molecule glycomimetics that bind to the galectin-1 CRD. In this study, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was used to compare human and mouse galectin-1 affinity measures with FP, as SPR has not been applied for compound screening against this galectin. Binding affinities for a selection of mono- and di-saccharides covering a 1000-fold range correlated well between FP and SPR assay formats for both human and mouse galectin-1. It was shown that slower dissociation drove the increased affinity at human galectin-1, whilst faster association was responsible for the effects in mouse galectin-1. This study demonstrates that SPR is a sound alternative to FP for early drug discovery screening and determining affinity estimates. Consequently, it also allows association and dissociation constants to be measured in a high-throughput manner for small molecule galectin-1 inhibitors.

Large-Scale Synthesis of High-Purity Isoguanosine and Resolution of its Crystal Structure by Microcrystal Electron Diffraction.

Isoguanosine (isoG) is a natural structural isomer of guanosine (G) with significant potential for applications in ionophores, genetics, gel formation, and cancer therapy. However, the cost of commercially available isoG on a gram scale is relatively high. To date, a detailed method for the large-scale preparation of high-purity isoG has not been reported. This study presented a simple and convenient approach for the large-scale synthesis of isoG through the diazotization of 2,6-diaminopurine riboside with sodium nitrite and acetic acid at room temperature. Further, this method could synthesize isoG derivatives (2'-fluoro-isoguanosine (1) and 2'-deoxy-isoguanosine (2)) from 2,6-diaminopurine nucleoside derivatives using diazotization. The structural information of natural and modified nucleosides is crucial for the modification and substitution of DNA/RNA. This study obtained the single-crystal structure of isoG for the first time and analyzed it in detail using microcrystal electron diffraction. The three-dimensional supramolecular structure of isoG adopted similarly base-pair motifs from π-π stacking interaction of diverse layers, intramolecular hydrogen bonding, and distinct hydrogen bonding interactions from sugar residues. This study has contributed to further isoG modification and its applications in medicinal chemistry and materials.

Extraction of polysaccharides from Polygonum cuspidatum with activity against Type 2 Diabetes via alterations in gut microbiota

The exact etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes are still unclear, and there is a lack of effective targeted clinical treatments. A polysaccharide (PCPs-I) with a good activity on T2D was isolated from Polygonum cuspidatum. Its average molecular weight (Mw) was 68.208 kDa. And the results showed that PCPs-I composition included →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→,→6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ and a minute quantity of →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ to form the primary chain via methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance assessments. Furthermore, the branched chain was composed of β-D-Glcp-(1 → connected to the sugar residue (SR) O-6 site →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→. PCPs-I strongly alleviated dysglycemia and regulated gut microbiota in diabetic mice. Taken together, our results show for the first time that PCPs-I regulate abnormal blood sugar and intestinal disorders in diabetic mice.

Structural characterization and potential anti-tumor activity of a polysaccharide from the halophyte Salicornia bigelovii Torr.

Plant polysaccharides are highly potent bioactive molecules. Clarifying the structural composition and bioactivities of plant polysaccharides will provide insights into their structure–activity relationships. Therefore, herein, we identified a polysaccharide produced by Salicornia bigelovii Torr. and analyzed the structure and anti-tumor activity of its component, SabPS-1. SabPS-1 was 3.24 × 104 Da, primarily composed of arabinose (24.96 %), galactose (30.39 %), and galacturonic acid (23.20 %), rhamnose (6.21 %), xylose (4.99 %), glucuronic acid (3.12 %), mannuronic acid (1.75 %), mannose (1.69 %), glucose (1.54 %), fucose (1.12 %), and guluronic acid (1.03 %). The backbone of SabPS-1 was a → 4)-β-D-GalpA-(1→, →5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, and→4)-β-D-Galp-(1 → molecule with a branched chain of α-L-Araf-(1 → connected to sugar residues of →3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1 → in the O-3 position. SabPS-1 induced apoptosis and inhibited the growth of HepG-2 cells, with viability of 47.90 ± 4.14 (400 μg/mL), indicating anti-tumor activity. Apoptosis induced by SabPS-1 may be associated with the differential regulation of caspase 3, caspase 8, Bax, and Bcl-2. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the principal structures and anti-tumor biological activities of SabPS-1. Our findings demonstrated the excellent anti-tumor properties of SabPS-1, which will aid in the development of anti-tumor drugs utilizing Salicornia bigelovii Torr.