Structural characterization of an inulin neoseries-type fructan from Ophiopogonis Radix and the therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis in vivo.

Abstract

Ophiopogonis Radix is a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine and functional food that is rich in polysaccharides and has fructan as a characteristic component. In this study, an inulin neoseries-type fructan designated as OJP-W2 was obtained and characterized from Ophiopogonis Radix, and its potential therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis in vivo were investigated. Structural studies revealed that OJP-W2 had a molecular weight of 5.76 kDa and was composed of glucose and fructose with a molar ratio of 1.00:30.87. Further analysis revealed OJP-W2 has a predominantly lineal (1-2)-linked β-D-fructosyl units linked to the glucose moiety of the sucrose molecule with (2-6)-linked β-D-fructosyl side chains. Pharmacological studies revealed that OJP-W2 exerted a marked hepatoprotective effect against liver fibrosis, the mechanism of action was involved in regulating collagen deposition (α-SMA, COL1A1 and liver Hyp contents) and TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway, alleviating liver inflammation (IL-1β, IL-6, CCL5 and F4/80) and MAPK signaling pathway, and inhibiting hepatic apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-2, ATF4 and Caspase 3). These data provide evidence for expanding Ophiopogonis Radix-acquired fructan types and advancing our understanding of the specific role of inulin neoseries-type fructan in liver fibrosis therapy.

• Authors: Wei Liu, Linzhang Zhang, Xia Wei, Yongbin Xu, Qinqin Fang, Shenglan Qi, Jiamei Chen, Changhong Wang, Shunchun Wang, Luping Qin, Ping Liu, Jianjun Wu
• Journal: Carbohydrate polymers (Carbohydr Polym) Vol. 327 Pg. 121659 (Mar 01 2024) ISSN: 1879-1344 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 38171656 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Fructans
• Inulin
• Polysaccharides
• Glucose

Topics

• Humans
• Fructans (pharmacology, therapeutic use, chemistry)
• Inulin (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Liver Cirrhosis (drug therapy)
• Polysaccharides
• Glucose