A fructan from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge showing neuroprotective and immunoregulatory effects

Abstract

A novel polysaccharide, AAP70-1, was isolated from Anemarrhena asphodeloides for the first time. The primary structural analysis revealed that AAP70-1 was composed of glucose and fructose, had an absolute molecular weight of 2720 Da, and contained a (2→6)-linked β-D-fructofuranose (Fruf) backbone and a (2→1,6)-linked β-D-Fruf side chain with an internal α-D-glucopyranose (Glcp) in the form of a neokestose. To explore the potential factors responsible for the medicinally relevant bioactivities of A. asphodeloides, a biological assay was performed. Using flow cytometry analysis, AAP70-1 was experimentally shown to have neuroprotective effects, and it can prevent and ameliorate neurological damage via reducing apoptosis. The immunomodulation assay further revealed that AAP70-1 can significantly improve immune function by promoting phagocytic capacity and the secretion of cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α) in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that AAP70-1 has potential as a therapeutic agent for central nervous system diseases or as an immunomodulatory agent.

Keywords: Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge; Chloroform (PubChem CID: 6212); Cobalt dichloride (PubChem CID: 24288); D-Glucose (PubChem CID: 5793); Dimethyl sulfoxide (PubChem CID: 679); Fructan; Immunomodulation; Methyl iodide (PubChem CID: 6328); Neuroprotection; Neutral red (PubChem CID: 11105); Penicillin G (PubChem CID: 5904); Polysaccharide; Streptomycin (PubChem CID: 19649); Tocopherol (PubChem CID: 14986); Trifluoroacetic acid (PubChem CID: 6422).