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A lipidated polysaccharide, HDPS-2II, was isolated from the dried larva of Holotrichia diomphalia , which is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The molecular weight of HDPS-2II was 5.9 kDa, which contained a polysaccharide backbone of →4)-β-Man p -(1 → 4,6)-β-Man p -(1 → [6)-α-Glc p -(1] n → 6)-α-Glc p → with the side chain α-Glc p -(6 → 1)-α-Glc p -(6 → linked to the C-4 of β-1,4,6-Man p and four types of lipid chains including 4-(4-methyl-2-(methylamino)pentanamido)pentanoic acid, 5-(3-(tert-butyl)phenoxy)hexan-2-ol, N-(3-methyl-5-oxopentan-2-yl)palmitamide, and N-(5-amino-3-methyl-5-oxopentan-2-yl)stearamide. The lipid chains were linked to C-1 of terminal α-1,6-Glc p in carbohydrate chain through diacyl-glycerol. HDPS-2II exhibited DNA protective effects and antioxidative activity on H 2 O 2 - or adriamycin (ADM)-induced Chinese hamster lung cells. Furthermore, HDPS-2II significantly ameliorated chromosome aberrations and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced γ-H2AX signaling and the expressions of NADPH oxidase (NOX)2, NOX4, P22phox, and P47phox in ADM-induced cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, HDPS-2II suppressed ADM-induced up-regulation of NOX2 and NOX4 in cardiomyocytes, but not in NOX2 or NOX4 knocked-down cardiomyocytes, indicating that HDPS-2II could relieve intracellular DNA damage by regulating NOX2/NOX4 signaling. These findings demonstrate that HDPS-2II is a new potential DNA protective agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven macromolecular polysaccharides (HPP-2S−HPP-8S) were purified from the gonads of sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. They were characterized as α-glucan homologues, sharing the same α-1,4-glucan backbone substituted at C-6 positions by glucose with HPP-1S that occurs as the major polysaccharide in H. pulcherrimus , while with higher degrees of branching, and additionally possessing minor amounts of mannose and ribose. The branching degree and amounts of non-glucose branches showed a generally increasing tendency across HPP-2S − HPP-8S. These polysaccharides exhibited significant macrophage-activating effects by augmenting the secretion of NO, TNF-α and IL-6, which probably involves the activation of NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways. Notably, the polysaccharides with a higher degree of branching exhibited markedly enhanced immunomodulatory capacity with a lowest effective concentration of 1.95 μg/mL. This work provides new cases of bioactive α-glucans and reveals their potential application as immunomodulating agents. • Seven new polysaccharides were isolated from Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. • They were characterized as α-1,4-glucan homologues with varying degrees of branching. • The α-1,4-glucan with a higher degree of branching showed more potent stimulatory effect on macrophage. • HPP-6S could activate macrophage at a low concentration of 1.95 μg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the potential mechanism behind the protective effect of Cistanche deserticola polysaccharides (CP) against alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Multiple chromography techniques were employed to characterize CP from polysaccharide, the molecular weight distribution of polysaccharides, monosaccharide composition, isomeric hydrogen and isomeric carbon, in order to clarify the material basis of CP. To create the ALD mouse model, we utilized the well-established Lieber-DeCarli alcoholic liquid feed method. Findings from the study revealed that CP administration resulted in significant improvements in intestinal permeability, upregulation of barrier proteins expression, and reduced levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in mouse liver and serum. Additionally, CP treatment reduced the presence of inflammatory cytokines both in serum and liver while enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the liver. Furthermore, CP effectively reduced alcohol-induced oxidative damage by downregulating Keap1 protein levels in the liver, leading to increased expression of Nrf2 protein. The 16S rDNA sequencing results revealed that CP significantly restored the intestinal microbiota composition in ALD mice. These findings establish a strong association between gut microbiota and liver injury indicators, highlighting the potential of CP in preventing and treating ALD by modulating the gut-liver axis. • CP was characterized through various analytical methods and its liver protective effect was evaluated. • CP exhibits protective effects on the intestinal barrier function in mice with ALD. • CP has the capability to modulate the gut microbiota and uphold intestinal homeostasis in ALD mice. • By activating the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway, CP mitigates inflammation and oxidative stress in ALD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]