Medicinal Plant Research 2025, Vol.15, No.4, 178-187 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 179 This study explored the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of A. sinensis polysaccharides, with a focus on its effects on key signaling pathways, cytokine regulation and immune regulation. It clarifies the biological activity mechanism of A. sinensis polysaccharides, providing a scientific basis for the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs and functional foods, and promoting the integration of traditional herbal medicine and modern therapeutic strategies. 2 Chemical Composition and Structural Features of A. sinensis Polysaccharides 2.1 Extraction and separation methods Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASPs), are mainly obtained through hot water extraction, and then the crude polysaccharides are often separated, with alcohol (ethanol) precipitation method. To improve the yield and purity, techniques, like ultrasonic-assisted extraction and membrane separation, were also adopted. The extraction conditions have a significant impact on the physicochemical properties, and biological activities of the obtained ASPs (Wang et al., 2019; Nai et al., 2021; Zou et al., 2022). Further purification is usually accomplished by chromatographic methods, such as DEAE-Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration (like Sephadex G-50), which can separate polysaccharide components with different molecular weights and structural characteristics (Hou et al., 2021; Nai et al., 2021; Zou et al., 2022). High performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), is often used to determine the molecular weight distribution, and obtain uniform polysaccharide components for structural analysis (Wang et al., 2016; Zhao et al., 2021). 2.2 Chemical composition and structural features ASPs belong to heteropolysaccharides, composed of glucose, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, fucose, xylose and galacturonic acid. Different components and extraction methods, leading to differences in their proportions (Liu et al., 2019; Nai et al., 2021; Zou et al., 2022; Tian et al., 2024). Structural analysis shows that, ASPs typically have homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan main chains. The side chains are rich in β-1,6- and β-1,4- galactopyranoglycans, α-1,5- arabinoglycans, and arabinose and galactose residues with different connection patterns (Liu et al., 2019; Zhao et al., 2021; Tian et al., 2024). Its common glycosidic bonds include (1→3), (1→6), (1→4) and (1→2), and these connection methods increase the diversity of the structure. The molecular weight range of ASPs is relatively wide, ranging from approximately 4.7 kDa to over 267 kDa, depending on the extraction and purification methods (Liu et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2019; Zou et al., 2022; Tian et al., 2024). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) studies, have shown that the structure of ASPs can be highly branched, with both linear and branched regions. Its conformational characteristics (degree of branching, the presence of "smooth regions" and "hairy regions", etc.), are closely related to its biological activity (Zhao et al., 2021; Zou et al., 2022). 2.3 Structure-activity relationships The branching degree of ASPs, and the presence of their specific substituents, like arabinose, galactose, and aldehyde acid, are closely related to their biological activities (anti-inflammation, immune regulation, and hematopoiesis etc.) (Liu et al., 2019; Zhao et al., 2021; Tian et al., 2024). For instance, ASPs components with higher arabinose content, or more complex branched structures, exhibit stronger antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities (Hou et al., 2021; Zou et al., 2022; Tian et al., 2024). Structural modifications, like changes in molecular weight and branching degree, or the introduction of metal ions (such as cerium), can all affect the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of ASPs. Polysaccharide components with specific conformational characteristics, or higher branching degrees exhibit stronger effects in reducing inflammatory markers, and resisting oxidative stress in cell and animal models (Wang et al., 2019; Li et al., 2023; Tian et al., 2024).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==