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A new immunoregulatory polysaccharide (DCP-W4) with a relative molecular mass of 1.37 × 104 Da was separated and purified from the stems of Dendrobium chrysotoxum under the guidance of immunoregulatory activity assay based on the small intestinal Peyer’s patch-mediated proliferation of bone marrow cells. Analysis of physicochemical features showed that DCP-W4 was a glucomannan consisting of glucose and mannose in a molar ratio of 3.0 : 1.0. Oral administration of mice suggested that DCP-W4 could significantly influence the body’s immune activity, which was evidenced by its ability to change the indexes of immune organs including spleen and thymus, the proliferation of bone marrow cells mediated by the supernatant of Peyer’s patch cells, the balance of Th1/Th2 through effectively regulating the secretion and ratio of IFN-γ and IL-4, the proportion and differentiation status of different immune cells including T-cells, dendritic cells and macrophages, and the production of sIgA as well as β-defensins and mucin-2 in the small intestine or in the spleen of mice. These results indicated that DCP-W4 was a polysaccharide with a hopeful potential for the modulation of intestine immune system and systemic immune system.

The present work aims to investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of a homogeneous Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJP61A) on acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice. According to the results of biochemical and pathological analysis, we concluded that LJP61A could protect kidney from the damage of adriamycin in AKI mice. Compared to the model group, the mRNA level of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and MCP-1) and protein level of mesenchymal markers demsin were decrease by the treatment of LJP61A while the protein levels of podocyte structure markers (Nephrin and WT-1) were increased. Moreover, the adriamycin-induced enhancement of phosphor-p65, phosphor-p38, phosphor-ERK1/2 and phosphor-JNK in the kidney of AKI mice were significantly suppressed by LJP61A. Similar variation was observed in the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1 and Smad3. These results suggested that LJP61A prevented acute kidney injury possibly via regulating TGF-β1-mediated Smad3, MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways.

To improve the emulsification of whey protein isolate (WPI), the lotus root amylopectin (LRA) was conjugated to WPI by dry-heat reaction, giving the WPI-LRA complex. In order to obtain a WPI-LRA complex with good emulsification property, response surface methodology was employed to optimize the reaction condition. Results showed that the maximum emulsifying activity (EA, 73.8%), emulsifying stabilities (ES, 72.58%) were achieved when the reaction temperature, reaction time and LRA addition volume were fixed at 44 °C, 13.6 h and 24%, respectively. In addition, the physicochemical properties of WPI-LRA O/W emulsions were assessed under different pH, NaCl concentration and storage time. Results showed that there are significant effects of pH and NaCl on the emulsification capacity of WPI-LRA conjugate. Moreover, compared to the WPI, the WPI-LRA conjugate can enhance the physicochemical properties of O/W emulsion. In conclusion, the WPI-LRA conjugate generated by dry-heat reaction is a new emulsifier with good emulsifying properties, which has good potenial for the application in functional foods.

In the present study, the hypoglycemic mechanism of a homogeneous Dendrobium huoshanense polysaccharide (GXG) was investigated using type 2 diabetic (T2D) mouse model. With a 5-week oral administration of GXG, the levels of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated serum protein and serum insulin in T2D mice were decreased, and the glucose tolerance and the insulin sensitivity were improved. The histological analysis, the periodic acid-schiff staining and the immunofluorescence staining of insulin, glucagon and apoptosis showed that the hypoglycemic effect of GXG was related to the improvement of pancreatic β-cell quantity and function and the regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism. Western blot analysis indicated that the up-regulated IRS1-PI3K-Akt phosphorylation followed by the down-regulated FoxO1/GSK 3β phosphorylation contributed to the enhanced glycogen synthesis and the decreased gluconeogenesis by GXG, suggesting that the response of insulin-mediated IRS1-PI3K-Akt-FoxO1/GSK 3β signaling to GXG might be the required mechanism for GXG-ameliorated development of type 2 diabetes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ca2+ and Na+ on the properties of whey protein isolate (WPI)-lotus root amylopectin (LRA) composite gel system. Results showed that an appropriate concentration of these two salt ions can induce the formation of WPI-LRA composite gel. Compared to the gel with free of Ca2+, the gel strength, water holding capacity and thermal transition temperature were enhanced by 2.2-fold, 3.4% and 1.9 °C, respectively, when 0.1 M CaCl2 were added to the gel system. With respect to Na+, 0.05 M was found to be an appropriate dosage for the formation of WPI-LRA composite gel. Under this concentration, the gel strength, water holding capacity and thermal transition temperature were enhanced by 2-fold, 2.2%, 2.8 °C, respectively. The storage modulus of WPI-LRA was changed by the addition of Ca2+ or Na+. The analysis of scanning electron microscopy revealed that both Ca2+ at 0.1 M and Na+ at 0.05 M induced a compact and stable network of WPI-LRA composite gels. In addition, the measurement of reactive sulfhydryl group ( SH) content and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were performed to investigate the gel formation mechanism induced by the two salt ions. Results indicated that the increase in the contents of SH, the changes in the protein as indicated by the relative peak areas of amide II band might be the main reason for ion-induced formation of WPI-LRA composite gel. These results obtained in the present work will provide valuable evidences for the utilization of WPI-LRA composite gels in food industry.

To improve the water solubility, stability and bioavailability of quercetin, the quercetin (Que)-quinoa protein (QP)-lotus root amylopectin (LRA) nanomicelles (Que-QP-LRA) were constructed via self-assembly in the present study. Results showed that a uniform and stable Que-QP-LRA nanomicelles was formed when the mass ratio of Que/QP/LRA was 2.5:6:24. Under this condition, the particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of the nanomicelles were 157.3 nm, 0.289 and -16.7 mV, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy exhibited that the Que-QP-LRA nanomicelles have a core-shell structure. The analysis of molecular interaction indicated that hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction were the main driving forces to maintain stable structure of Que-QP-LRA nanomicelles. Additionally, the in vitro simulated digestion experiments suggested that Que-QP-LRA nanomicelles can enhance the stability of quercetin in the stomach and enable it to be sustained release in the intestine. These results suggested that Que-QP-LRA nanomicelles were beneficial for improving the bioavailability of quercetin.

With fluorescent end-labeling method, a homogenous Dendrobium huoshanense polysaccharide (GXG) that was orally administrated to mice was found to be degraded into a stable fragment (dGXG) in the stomach, where dGXG was propelled into the small intestine and absorbed into the systemic circulation. The residual GXG in the stomach could pass through the gastrointestinal tract and was excreted into faeces with a very slow fermentation in the large intestine. The simulated digestion of GXG indicated that the acidic pH condition in the gastric fluid was responsible for GXG degradation, which was supported by the oral digestion of dGXG. Chemical analysis not only showed a change in the molar ratio of monosaccharide compositions and glycosidic linkage types, but also found the loss of the sugar residue (1→4)-linked Galp after the acid treatment of GXG, suggesting that the cleavage of glycosidic linkage, especially (1→4)-linked Galp linkage, resulted in GXG degradation in the gastrointestinal tract.

In this work, we investigated the effect of Chinese chive polysaccharides (CCP) on renal function in mice with adenine-induced chronic renal failure (CRF). Results exhibited that adenine treatment caused serious renal pathological damages and elevation of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen of mice. However, these changes could be significantly reversed by the administration of CCP in a dose-dependent manner. When CCP dosage reached 200mg/kg/day, the area of renal pathological damage was decreased by 59.2%, and the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were decreased by 23.9% and 34.7% compared to those of model group. Moreover, it was found that renal oxidative damage, inflammation and fibrosis of adenine-induced CRF mice could also be significantly inhibited by CCP. These results suggested that CCP could improve the kidney functions of adenine-induced CRF mice and the renoprotective effect might be associated with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis activities.

The effects of lotus root amylopectin (LRA) on the formation of whey protein isolate (WPI) gels were investigated at the concentration range from 0 to 1.0% (w/v) by determining the texteral, thermal and rheological properties. Results exhibited these properties of WPI gels could be significantly enhanced by the addition of LRA in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared the gel with free of starch, the gel strength, water holding capacity and thermal transition temperature of WPI gel containing 1% (w/v) amylopectin were enhanced by 12.7-fold, 24.9% and 3.6°C, respectively. According to the analysis of scanning electron microscopy, colorimetric reaction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements, it was concluded that the LRA-induced enhancement of WPI gel properties was possibly attributed to the formation of stable three-dimensional gel network, increased contents of reactive sulfhydryl group, CN bond and/or NH bond. Results suggested that LRA might be a good gel modifier.

A new polysaccharide (JSP-11) with a molecular weight of 1.25 × 106 Da was extracted and purified from jellyfish. Monosaccharide analysis showed that JSP-11 was composed of mannose, galactose and glucuronic acid with a molar ratio of 2.18:1.00:1.94. According to the analysis of fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and NMR spectroscopy, JSP-11 was determined to contain a linear backbone which consisted of (1 → 3,6)-linked β- d -Manp and (1 → 6)-linked β- d -Galp. The branch of (1→)-linked α- d -GlcpA was attached to the C-3 position of (1 → 3,6)-linked β- d -Manp in the backbone. The immunomodulatory assay exhibited that JSP-11 could significantly enhance the viability of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and promote the release of NO, TNF-α, and IL-1β via activating NF-κB, MAPKs and PI3K/Akt signal pathways.

The present study explored the beneficial effect of Dendrobium huoshanense stem polysaccharide (cDHPS) after oral administration on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. It was found that cDHPS effectively alleviated joint swelling, synovial hyperplasia, pannus formation, cartilage erosion and bone destruction in CIA mice. Concurrently, cDHPS remodeled the balance of Th17 and regulatory T cells, reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators related to fibroblast-like synoviocyte activation, angiogenesis, articular cartilage degradation and osteoclast differentiation, inhibited HIF-1α expression and promoted anti-inflammatory mediator release in the joint tissues and serum of CIA mice. Western blot of joint tissues showed that cDHPS significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of IκB, p65, JNK, p38, ERK1/2, AKT, PI3K, JAK1 and STAT3 in CIA mice. These results suggest that cDHPS possesses the potential of ameliorating RA and its anti-RA effect may be attributed to the inhibition of inflammatory signaling pathways.

Seven new cadinane-type sesquiterpenoids (1–7) were isolated from the rhizomes of Stahlianthus involucratus. The planar structures of 1–7 were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic and HRMS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction, whereas those of C-9 in 3, C-9 in 4, C-6 in 6, and the 1,2-diol in 7 were deduced via the CD data of the in situ formed [Rh2(OCOCF3)4] complex, and Mo2(OAc)4-induced CD analysis, respectively.

Lactobacillus paracasei that could release exopolysaccharide (EPS), was used as starter to prepare yoghurt under optimal fermented conditions. It was found that the viscosity of yoghurt increased exponentially with EPS production, and to elucidate this phenomen, the binding of EPS-S11 extracted and purified from yoghurt to casein was evaluated by turbidity and particle size analysis, zeta potential study, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) imaging, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) determination. Results indicated that EPS-S11 with an average molecular weight of 1.68 × 107 Da, was mainly composed of mannose, glucose, galactose and glucuronic acid in a molar ratio of 0.87:0.92:1:0.24. Upon the addition of EPS-S11, the turbidity and particle size of casein solution both decreased in a dose-dependent manner, while the zeta potential was dose-dependently increased, suggesting that EPS-S11 might inhibit the aggregation of casein and thus enhanced its stability. ITC titration and CLSM imaging confirmed the existence of interactions between EPS-S11 and casein, which mainly involved in electrostatic interaction as well as hydrophobic interaction.

A gel delivery system was developed in the present work using whey protein isolate and lotus root amylopectin via regulating pH. The texture, thermodynamics, rheology and microstructure of gels were evaluated. Results showed that pH at 7.0 induced a more compact and stable gel structure than other pH. The composite gel formed at pH 7.0 was accordingly employed to encapsulate vitamin D3. Results exhibited that the encapsulation of composite gel of whey protein isolate and lotus root amylopectin could enhance the storage stability of vitamin D3 and protect vitamin D3 from photochemical degradation. Moreover, this encapsulation could control the release of vitamin D3 in simulated intestinal fluid. Animal experiments exhibited that the bioavailability was significantly increased after vitamin D3 was encapsulated by the composite gel. This work indicated that the whey protein isolate-lotus root amylopectin gel is a good delivery system to improve the stability and bioavailability of vitamin D3.