Antioxidant and immunoregulatory activity of alkali-extractable polysaccharides from North American ginseng

Int J Biol Macromol. 2014 Apr:65:357-61. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.01.046. Epub 2014 Jan 25.

Abstract

The alkali-extractable polysaccharide (AEP) was isolated from the root of North American ginseng. Two fractions, AEP-1 and AEP-2, were further purified by gel filtration column chromatography. Gas chromatography analysis identified that AEP-1 was composed of Glc, Gal and GalA. And AEP-2 mainly contained Ara, Man, Gal, Glc and GalA. Antioxidant assays indicated that AEP and AEP-2 exhibited significant antioxidant activities in a dose-dependent manner. AEP-2 also exhibited macrophage-activating activity by increasing NO, TNF-α and IL-6 production. The results suggest that AEP-2 could be used as potential antioxidants and immunomodulators.

Keywords: Alkali-extractable polysaccharide; Bioactivity; North American ginseng.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkalies / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Immunologic Factors / isolation & purification
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Panax / chemistry*
  • Polysaccharides / isolation & purification*
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Alkalies
  • Antioxidants
  • Cytokines
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Polysaccharides
  • Nitric Oxide