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This study demonstrates the feasibility of producing three polysaccharides (neutral LJP-1, acidic LJP-2 and acidic LJP-3) with significant in vitroand in vivoanti-inflammatory activities from the flowers of Lonicera japonica. The three polysaccharides differed in chemical composition, molecular weight 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 CuSO4-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 anti-inflammatory effects varied owing to their different molecular characteristics and chemical compositions. Overall, LJP-2 at 400μg/mL was the most effective. LJP-2 consisted mainly of → 5)-α-L-Araf(1→, →4)-α-L-GalpA (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 anti-inflammatory agents for the development of functional foods and healthcare products.

Arctium lappa L. is widely consumed for its various biological effects, and polysaccharides are its main functional components. The present study aimed to evaluate the immunoregulatory effects of the main polysaccharides from burdock (ALP-1) and reveal the underlying mechanisms. ALP-1 consisted of fructose and glucose (14.57:1) and had a molecular weight of 2757 Da, with typical characteristics of (1 → 2)-linked linear fructans. Oral intake of ALP-1 significantly increased the number of colonic goblet cells, serum immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G levels, and fecal secretory immunoglobulin A content as well as up-regulated antioxidant enzymes and increased short chain fatty acid production. In addition, ALP-1 administration regulated pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, and IL-10), intestinal microbiota structure, and the spatial information on key metabolites. Some gut-microbiota-mediated metabolic processes were also significantly altered. These results indicated that ALP-1 could exert beneficial effects on immune responses and intestinal health in healthy mice.

This study aimed to compare the structural features and functional properties of polysaccharides from single-clove garlic (SGPs) and multiclove garlic (MGPs) and to establish their structure–function relationships. Both SGPs and MGPs were identified as fructans consisting mainly of →1)-β-d-Fruf(2→ and →6)-β-d-Fruf(2→ residues but differed in average molecular weights (6.76 and 5.40 kDa, respectively). They shared similar thermodynamic properties, X-ray diffraction patterns, and high gastrointestinal digestive stability. These two purified fructans could dose-dependently scavenge free radicals, reduce oxidized metals, and effectively alleviate metronidazole-induced oxidative stress and CuSO4-induced inflammation in zebrafish viainhibiting the overexpression of inflammation-related proteins and cytokines. SGPs showed lower free radical scavenging activity in vitrothan MGPs but higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in vivo. Taken together, the molecular weight was the main structural difference between the two garlic fructans of different varieties, which is a potential reason for their differences in biological activities.

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, ALP-OA/UA nanoparticles showed enhanced anti-inflammatory activity (especially at a dose of 100 μg/mL) in a CuSO4-induced zebrafish inflammation model via down-regulating the NF-κB signalling pathway and gene expression of associated transcription factors and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8). Therefore, ALP-based nanoparticles are natural and anti-inflammatory carriers for hydrophobic bioactive molecules.

•A novel Arctium lappaL. polysaccharide (ALP)-zinc complex was prepared.•ALP-Zn has good stabilities in simulated gastrointestinal digestion.•ALP and ALP-Zn exhibited excellent immune activity on dendritic cells.

•A novel ginger peel polysaccharide-Cr (III) complex was synthesized based on RSM.•Their chelation and interaction mainly occurred on the O–H of the hydroxyl groups.•The complex showed superior anti-inflammatory activity in vivothan polysaccharides.•The biological mechanism mainly involved the MyD88/NF-κB/MAPK/iNOS signaling pathway.