Effects of Polygonatum odoratum Polysaccharides on the Quality of White Chili Peppers in Jars

[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharides on the quality of white chili peppers in jars.[Methods]White chili peppers were pickled by adding different concentrations of P.odoratum polysaccharides with traditional pickling technology,and its nitrite content,pH and sensory quality were analyzed and detected.[Results]The results showed that,compared with the control group without adding P.odoratum polysaccharides,the nitrite content in white chili peppers in jars decreased after adding P.odoratum polysaccharides.When the addition amount of P.odoratum polysaccharides was 0.002%,the inhibition rate of nitrite reached the maximum.Under the same fermentation time,P.odoratum polysaccharides could significantly reduce the pH value of pickles.When the addition amount of P.odoratum polysaccharide was 0.002%and the pickling time was 3 months,the sensory quality of white chili peppers in jars was the best.At this point,white chili peppers in jars had rich aroma and tasted soft and sour,and the sour and salinity were suitable.As the fermentation time continued to increase,the chili aroma of white chili peppers in jars gradually decreased,and the sour taste became more pronounced.[Conclusions]This study can provide reference for the safety and quality control of white chili peppers in jars.

The interventional effect of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua polysaccharide on atherosclerosis in mice of different sexes

In the present study,we investigated the intervention effects of a purified Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharide(PCP)on high-fat diet(HFD)-induced atherosclerosis in male and female LDLr-/-mice.Results showed that HFD caused severe dyslipidemia,atherosclerotic lesions,oxidative damages and inflammation in male and female mice,and these effects seemed to be more pronounced in males than in females.However,the above variations could be dose-dependently reversed by PCP treatment,and the intervention effects on males were greater than those on females.Nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB),mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPKs)and protein kinase B(Akt)are 3 pivotal signaling pathways mediating the development of atherosclerosis.Consistently,PCP was also found to significantly decrease the phosphorylation of p65,p38,extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)and Akt,and increase the protein expression of inhibitor of NF-κB(IκB)in the aortas of male and female mice induced by HFD.Taken together,these findings indicated that PCP could be effective for the prevention of atherosclerosis,and the intervention effect of PCP on male mice was more obvious than that of female mice.

Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides protect against obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats fed a high-fat diet

Polygonatum sibiricum is a traditional medicinal and dietary plant of the family Liliaceae. The main functional macromolecules of P. sibiricum are polysaccharides, which function in antioxidation and regulating immunity. Previous studies have shown that insulin resistance(IR), oxidative stress, and inflammation are important factors in the induction of lipid metabolic diseases such as obesity. Therefore, in this study, we established a high-fat diet-induced rat model of obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) to explore the potential protective effect of P. sibiricum polysaccharides(PSPs) and the mechanisms behind it. After 4 weeks of high-fat diet feeding to induce obesity, the rats were treated with different doses of PSP solution or distilled water for 6 weeks. Compared with untreated obese rats, PSP-treated obese rats showed a decrease in body weight, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, hepatic aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activity, hepatic malondialdehyde content, and hepatic levels of the pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6, as well as increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity. Pathological analysis and immunoblotting of the liver tissues indicated that mechanistically, PSPs reduced obesity and NAFLD in rats by upregulating insulin receptor expression, increasing adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, and downregulating sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 and low-density lipoprotein receptor expression, thus promoting lipid metabolism, decreasing body weight, and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress caused by lipid accumulation. Based on these results, PSPs may have the potential to reduce obesity and NAFLD associated with a high-fat diet.

Effects of Polygonatum odoratum Polysaccharide on Reproductive Hormones in Male Rats Fed a High-fat Diet

[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharide(POP)on organ relative weights and reproductive hormone levels in male rats fed a high-fat diet.[Methods]Thirty healthy male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into two groups according to their body weight:10 in normal control group(Group NC,n=10)and 20 in experimental group(n=20).The rats in experimental group were fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks before they were further randomly divided into two groups:high fat group(Group HF)and high fat+400 mg/(kg·d)POP group(Group HF+POP).In Group HF+POP,the rats were administered with POP for another six weeks,before their blood plasma was collected,and the relative weights of their testis and epididymis were calculated.The plasma levels of testosterone(T),estrogen(E2),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),cortisol(C)and luteinizing hormone(LH)were measured by radioimmunoassay,and the plasma levels of sex hormone-binding globulin(SHBG)and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.[Results]Compared with Group HF,POP could effectively inhibit rat obesity caused by high-fat diets,increase the relative weights of their testis and epididymis,plasma levels of LH,E2,FSH,T,SHBG and IGF-1,and reduce the plasma level of E2.[Conclusions]Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharide(POP)is able to effectively regulate the level of reproductive hormones in high-fat diet fed rats,and helps to protect their reproductive function.

Effects of Polygonatum sibiricum Polysaccharide on Antioxidant Capacity of the Liver in High-fat Diet Rats

[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide(PSP)on antioxidant function in high-fat diet obese rats.[Methods]Thirty five healthy male SD rats were selected to establish an obesity model after feeding a high-fat for 8 weeks.They were then randomly divided into a normal group(NC),a high-fat diet group(HF),and an HF+P.sibiricum polysaccharide group[HF+PSP,300 mg/(kg·d)].After 6 weeks of PSP intervention,the serum and liver of rats were collected,and the activity of aspartate transaminase(AST)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT)in serum,the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and malondialdehyde(MDA)in liver tissue were measured.The pathological changes of liver tissue were observed by HE staining.[Results]Compared with the HF group,PSP could effectively inhibit obesity caused by high-fat diet.It reduced body weight and serum AST and ALT levels,increased the contents of T-SOD,CAT and GSH-Px in the liver,and inhibited the accumulation of MDA content,thereby reducing damage to liver cells caused by a high-fat diet.It indicated that PSP could effectively inhibit obesity in high-fat diet rats and enhance their antioxidant capacity.[Conclusions]This study provides a reference for the study of the antioxidant capacity of PSP.

Effects of polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide on learning and memory in a scopolamine-induced mouse model of dementia

BACKGROUND： Learning and memory processes are accompanied by complex neuropathological and biochemical changes. Free radicals play an important role in learning and memory damage. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide （PSP） in comparison with vitamin 12 on inhibiting free radical damage, as well as improving the degree of cerebral ischemia and learning and memory in a scopolamine-induced mouse model of dementia. DESIGN： Randomized controlled animal study. SETTINGS： Department of Pharmacology, Taishan Medical College; Shandong Jewim Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. MATERIALS： A total of 105 healthy Kunming mice, comprising 90 males and 15 females that were clean grade, were provided by the Animal Center of Taishan Medical College. PSP （extracted and purified by Huangjing, Taishan） was provided by the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taishan Medical College （purity of 79.6% by using a phenol-concentrated sulphate acid method）, and hydrogen bromine acid scopolamine injection solution （SCO） by Shanghai Hefeng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. METHODS： This study was performed at the Pharmacological Laboratory of Taishan Medical College from March to June 2007. （1） A total of 75 healthy Kunming male mice of clean grade were randomly divided into a normal control group, positive control group, and low-dosage and high-dosage PSP groups, with 15 mice in each group. Mice in both the low-dosage and high-dosage PSP groups were intragastrically administered 0.5 g/kg and 2.0 g/kg PSP, respectively. Mice in the positive control group were intragastrically administered 0.5 g/kg vitamin 12. In addition, mice in both the normal control group and model group were intragastrically administered the same volume of saline, respectively, once a day for 7 consecutive days. One hour after the final administration on day 6, mice in the positive control group, model group, low-dosage and high-dosage PSP groups were subcutaneously injected with 3.0 mg/kg SCO, while mice in the normal control group were subcutaneously injected with the same volume of distilled water. Ten minutes later, the step test was employed to measure memory. The training was performed 5 times, with 30-minute intervals between 2 sets. If the mice remained on the platform （latent period） for 30 minutes, they were determined to have learned the task. An eligible percentage was then recorded. Twenty-four hours later, the number of error responses from each mouse was recorded in a 5-minute period, based on the above-mentioned parameters. Mice were sacrificed under anesthesia. The activities of glutathione hyperoxide enzyme （GSH-Px）, superoxide dismutase （SOD）, and the content of malondialdehyde （MDA） were assayed using an UV spectrophotometer. （2） The remaining 30 healthy Kunming mice of both genders were randomly divided into 3 groups, including control group, low-dosage PSP group, and high-dosage PSP group, with 10 mice in each group. Mice in both the low-dosage and high-dosage PSP groups were intragastrically administered 0.5 g/kg and 2.0 g/kg PSP, respectively, while the mice in the control group were perfused with the same volume of saline. Forty minutes later, the mice under superficial anesthesia were decapitated, and the number and duration of mouth-opening breaths of the isolated mouse head were immediately recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE： （1） Numbers of error responses within 5 minutes on the platform. （2） GSH-Px and SOD activity, as well as MDA content in mouse brain tissue. （3） Numbers and duration of mouth-opening breaths of the isolated mouse head. RESULTS： Of the 105 Kunming experimental mice, two mice died due to electric shock during the step-down test, therefore, a total of 103 mice were involved in the final analysis. （1） Effects of PSP on learning in mice： The eligible percentage in the high-dosage PSP group was higher than the control group at the 3rd and 5th training sessions （P 〈 0.05）. （2） Effects of PSP on memory in mice： The number of errors in the step-down test in the model group was higher than in the normal control group （P 〈 0.01）. Compared to the model group, the number of errors in the step-down test was lower in both the low-dosage and high-dosage PSP groups （P 〈 0.01）. （3） Effects of PSP on amount of GSH-Px, SOD, and MDA in mouse brain tissue： SOD and GSH-Px activity was higher in both the low-dosage and high-dosage PSP groups than in the model group. MDA content was lower in the high-dosage PSP group, compared to the model group. GSH-Px activity in the brain tissue of the high-dosage PSP group was similar to the positive control group （P 〉 0.05）. （4） Effects of PSP on acute cerebral ischemia in mice： The low-dosage PSP, and in particular the high-dosage PSP, prolonged the number and duration of mouth-opening breaths of the isolated mouse head （P 〈 0.05, 0.01）. CONCLUSION： PSP can improve learning and memory in a scopolamine-induced mouse model of dementia by reducing the damaging effects of cerebral ischemia and anti-oxidation. In addition, the effects are dose-dependent and are similar to those provided by vitamin E.

Effects of polygonatum polysaccharide on p38 MAPK/N-cadherin in zebrafish with Alzheimer disease

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of polygonatum polysaccharide on zebrafish with Alzheimer disease.METHODS Zebrafish were trained in T maze for 7 d.The 40 zebrafish successfully trained were divided into 4 groups:blank group,model group,positive group and polygonatum polysaccharide group.Model group,positive group and polygonatum polysaccharide group were put in AlCl3100μg·L^(-1) for 6 d.The positive group was exposed to Huperzine A solution 4μg·L^(-1),and the polygonatum polysaccharide group was exposed to polygonatum polysaccharide solution 6 g·L^(-1) for 6 d.The model group was not treated,and the blank group was not treated.Each stage of zebrafish was recorded by video,and the time of each group in the EC region was analyzed.After administration,the brain tissue was taken out and the expression of N-cadherin,P38 and p-P38 protein factors was determined by Western blotting.RESULTS In behavior,the analysis of the time spent in the EC area,the blank group,the positive group and the polygonatum polysaccharide group were compared with the model group,respectively,there were statistically significant differences(P<0.05).At the protein level,compared with the model group,the P38 and p-P38 proteins in the positive group and the polygonatum polysaccharide group were down-regulated,while the N-cadherin protein was up-regulated,with statistical difference(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Polygonatum polysaccharide can improve the learning and memory ability of zebrafish with Alzheimer disease by up regulating the protein level of N-cadherin and hindering P38 phosphorylation.

Effect of polygonatum polysaccharide on the hypoxia-induced apoptosis and necrosis in in vitro cultured cerebral cortical neurons from neonatal rats

BACKGROUND： Cardiocerebrovascular diseases induced cerebral circulation insufficiency and senile vascular dementia can result in ischemic/hypoxic apoptosis of central neurons, which we should pay more attention to and prevent and treat as early as possible. Traditional Chinese medicine possesses the unique advantage in this field. Polygonatum, a Chinese herb for invigorating qi, may play a role against the hypoxic apoptosis of brain neurons. OBJECTIVE ： To observe the protective effect of polygonatum polysaccharide on hypoxia-induced apoptosis and necrosis in cerebral cortical neurons cultured in vitro. DESIGN： A comparative experiment.SETTING： Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Provincial Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. MATERIALS： The experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Provincial Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2003 to April 2005. Totally 218 Wistar rats （male or female） of clean degree within 24 hours after birth were purchased from the animal center of Jiangxi Medical College （certification number was 021-97-03）. METHODS：① Preparation of cerebral cortical neurons of rats： The cerebral cortical tissues were isolated from the Wistar rats within 24 hours after birth, and prepared to single cell suspension, and the cerebral cortical neurons of neonatal rats were in vitro cultured in serum free medium with Neurobasal plus B27 Supplement. ② Observation on the non-toxic dosage of polygonatum polysaccharide on neurons： After the neurons were cultured for 4 days, polygonatum polysaccharide of different dosages （1-20 g/L） was added for continuous culture for 48 hours, the toxicity and non-toxic dosage of polygonatum polysaccharide on neurons were observed and detected with trypan blue staining. ③Grouping： After hypoxia/reoxygenation, the cultured neurons were divided into normal control group, positive apoptotic group and polygonatum polysaccharide group. In the normal control group, the neurons were cultured at 37℃ in CO2 with the volume fraction of 0.05 under saturated humidity for 6 days. In the apoptotic positive group, the neurons were cultured with hypoxia for 12 hours after 4-day culture, and followed by reoxygenation for 48 hours. In the polygonatum polysaccharide group, polygonatum polysaccharide with the terminal concentration of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/L was added to some neurons at 10 hours before the hypoxia culture, and then the neurons were cultured with hypoxia for 12 hours, followed by reoxygenation for 48 hours; polygonatum polysaccharide with the terminal concentration of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/L was added to the other neurons at 12 hours after hypoxia followed by reoxygenation for 48 hours.④ The Hoechst33342 fluorescence staining, Annexin V/PI flow cytometer, appearance of DNA agarose gel electrophoresis gradient strap and immunohistochemical staining were used to observe the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, and observe the effect of polygonatum polysaccharide against the hypoxic apoptosis of cerebral cortical neurons of neonatal rats. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ① Toxicity and non-toxic dosage of polygonatum polysaccharide on neurons;② Apoptotic rate of neurons detected with Hoechst33342 fluorescence staining;③ Early apoptotic rate and necrotic rate of neurons detected with Annexin V/PI flow cytometer; ④DNA agarose gel electrophoresis ladder-like strap appeared or not;⑤ Expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. RESULTS：① Polygonatum polysaccharide within 6 g/L had no cytotoxicity on the normal cultured cerebral cortical neurons （P 〉 0.05）. ②The apoptotic rates of neurons detected with Hoechst33342 fluorescence staining had significant differences between the polygonatum polysaccharide groups and positive apoptosis group added to neurons at 10 hours before the hypoxia culture [（13.00±4.52）%,（12.72±2.15）%, （11.80±1.18）%,（38.03±1.05）%, P 〈 0.01], and had no significant differences between the polygonatum polysaccharide groups and positive apoptosis group added to neurons at 12 hours after the hypoxia culture （36.77±1.45）%, （36.60±1.61）%, （36.37±2.02）%, （38.03±1.05）%, P 〉 0.05].③ Annexin V/PI flow cytometer detected that the anti-necrotic effect was enhanced with the increased concentration of polygonatum polysaccharide within 0.5-1.5 g/L （P 〈 0.01）. Polygonatum polysaccharide of 0.5-1.5 g/L added before hypoxia could significantly decrease the apoptotic rate of neurons induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation （P 〈 0.01）. ④ No DNA agarose gel electrophoresis ladder-like strap appeared in the groups with polygonatum polysaccharide of 0.5-1.5 g/L added at 10 hours before hypoxia;⑤ After Polygonatum polysaccharide of 0.5-1.5 g/L was added before hypoxia, the expression of Bcl-2 protein of hypoxic neurons was increased （P 〈 0.01）, and those of Bax protein and Caspase-3 protein were reduced （P 〈 0.01）, and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was increased （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Polygonatum polysaccharide within 6 g/L has no cytotoxicity on the normal cultured cerebral cortical neurons. Polygonatum polysaccharide of 0.5-1.5 g/L added before hypoxia plays a role agains necrosis of neurons induced by hypoxia. Polygonatum polysaccharide of 0.5-1.5 g/L can significantly reduce the apoptosis of neurons induced by hypoxia through up-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 protein, down-regulating the expressions of Bax protein and Caspase-3 protein, and increasing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax.

The therapeutic mechanism of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide on T2DM rats based on the Nrf2 signaling pathway

Background:This study will be aimed at investigating the effects of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide(PSP)in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:Thirty Sprague–Dawley male rats were evenly distributed into three groups:normal,T2DM,and PSP groups,by applying a random sample table method.The typical cluster was served balanced food every day,whereas the others were supplied with a high-fat diet and streptozotocin injections to make T2DM rat models.The changes in humor organic chemistry indicators and liver histopathology were determined following the model institution for every cluster.After PSP intervention,western blotting was applied to research the expression levels of crucial transcription factors concerned within the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)signal pathway,as well as Nrf2,glutamate-cysteine ligase chemical process fractional monetary unit,NQO1 and HO-1 within the liver tissues of the rat models,and to seem into the therapeutic edges of PSP and the way it happens in T2DM rats.Results:PSP intervention considerably reduced the concentration levels of aldohexose,lipids,liver-operated indicators,and alternative organic chemistry indicators within the humor of T2DM rat models and improved the histopathological changes within the liver.In addition,the activity of SOD and GSH-Px were increased,and the levels of MDA were decreased in the liver tissues of T2DM rat models following PSP intervention.Western blotting revealed that the expression levels of the Nrf2,HO-1,glutamate-cysteine ligase chemical,and NQO1 proteins were increased in rat liver tissues following PSP intervention.Conclusion:PSP has therapeutic effects in T2DM rat models,and its mechanism of motion might also be related to regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway in liver tissues and alleviating oxidative stress.