Three anti-inflammatory polysaccharides from Lonicera japonica Thunb.:insights into the structure-function relationships

This study demonstrates the feasibility of producing three polysaccharides(neutral LJP-1,acidic LJP-2 and acidic LJP-3)with significant in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities from the flowers of Lonicera japonica.The three polysaccharides differed in chemical composition,molecular weight(Mw)distribution,glycosidic linkage pattern,functional groups and morphology.They exhibited excellent protective effects(in a dose-dependent manner)in lipopolysaccharide-injured RAW264.7 macrophages and Cu SO4-damaged zebrafish via reducing NO production and inhibiting the overexpressions of inflammation-related transcription factors,inflammatory proteins and cytokines in the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways.Their antiinflammatory effects varied owing to their different molecular characteristics and chemical compositions.Overall,LJP-2 at 400μg/m L was the most effective.LJP-2 consisted mainly of→5)-α-L-Araf(1→,→4)-α-LGalp A(1→and→2)-α-L-Rhap(1→residues with terminal T-β-D-Glcp.Thus,honeysuckle flowers are good sources of anti-inflammatory polysaccharides,and precise fractionation enables the production of potent antiinflammatory agents for the development of functional foods and healthcare products.

Creating burdock polysaccharide-oleanolic acid-ursolic acid nanoparticles to deliver enhanced anti-inflammatory effects:fabrication,structural characterization and property evaluation

This study explored the potential of polysaccharides from Actium lappa(ALPs)as natural wall materials for producing ALP-based nanoparticles to deliver poorly water-soluble oleanolic acid(OA)and ursolic acid(UA).Encapsulating OA+UA with ALPs(ALP:OA+UA,50:1;OA:UA,1:1)changed the crystalline nature to a more amorphous state through hydrogen bonding and involving O-H/C-O/O-C-O groups.ALP-OA/UA nanoparticles had a particle size and zeta potential(in water)of 199.1 nm/-7.15 mV,with a narrow unimodal size distribution,and excellent pH,salt solution,temperature and storage stability.Compared with ALPs,ALPOA/UA nanoparticles showed enhanced anti-inflammatory activity(especially at a dose of 100μg/mL)in a CuSO-induced zebrafish inflammation model via down-regulating the NF-κB signalling pathway and gene expression of associated transcription factors and cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1βand IL-8).Therefore,ALP-based nanoparticles are natural and anti-inflammatory carriers for hydrophobic bioactive molecules.

Effect of bacteriocin-producing Pediococcus acidilactici strains on the immune system and intestinal flora of normal mice

This study was performed to determine the effects of bacteriocin-producing and non-bacteriocin-producing Pediococcus acidilactici strains on the immune system and intestinal flora of normal mice.Two P.acidilactici strains with antibacterial activity(P.acidilactici CCFM28 and CCFM18)were obtained based on the inhibition-zone assay.The produced components were identified as bacteriocins through protease treatment,pH adjustment and hydrogen peroxide treatment.Bacteriocin-producing and non-bacteriocin-producing P.acidilactici strains(P.acidilactici CCFM28,CCFM18 and NT17-3)caused significant changes in serum immune factors and intestinal flora of normal mice.After 14 days of intervention,the relative abundance of Firmicutes was significantly decreased,but that of Proteobacteria was significantly increased at the phylum level.At the genus level,the administration of three P.acidilactici strains resulted in the downregulation of Blautia and the upregulation of Ruminococcus and Lactobacillus.Furthermore,there were also different regulations on some probiotic strains,such as Bifidobacterium,Coprococcus and Akkermansia,which were closely related to the antibacterial ability of the bacteriocin and the type of strain.The results indicated that the intervention of different P.acidilactici strains could differently change the structure of intestinal flora in normal mice,which provided theoretical guidance for the selective use of bacteriocin-producing strains for health regulation in the future.