Crude polysaccharides were extracted from the white jellyfish (Lobonema smithii) using water extraction and fractionated using ion-exchange chromatography to obtain three different fractions (JF1, JF2, and JF3). The chemical characteristics of four polysaccharides were investigated, along with their anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. All samples mainly consisted of neutral sugars with minor contents of proteins and sulphates in various proportions. Glucose, galactose, and mannose were the main constituents of the monosaccharides. The molecular weights of the crude polysaccharides and the JF1, JF2, and JF3 fractions were 865.0, 477.6, 524.1, and 293.0 kDa, respectively. All polysaccharides were able to decrease NO production, especially JF3, which showed inhibitory activity. JF3 effectively suppressed iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression, while IL-10 expression was induced. JF3 could inhibit phosphorylated ERK, JNK, p38, and NF-κB p65. Furthermore, flow cytometry showed the impact of JF3 on inhibiting CD11b and CD40 expression. These results suggest that JF3 could inhibit NF-κB and MAPK-related inflammatory pathways. The structural characterisation revealed that (1→3)-linked glucopyranosyl, (1→3,6)-linked galactopyranosyl, and (1→3,6)-linked glucopyranosyl residues comprised the main backbone of JF3. Therefore, L. smithii polysaccharides exhibit good anti-inflammatory activity and could thus be applied as an alternative therapeutic agent against inflammation.
Keywords: Lobonema smithii; anti-inflammatory; jellyfish; macrophages; polysaccharides.