Ultrasonic-assisted extraction, structure and antitumor activity of polysaccharide from Polygonum multiflorum

Polygonum multiflorum is a popular Chinese herbal medicine with various pharmacological functions. In this study, the ultrasonic-assisted extraction condition, structural characterization and antitumor activity of a polysaccharide from roots of P. multiflorum were investigated. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction condition was optimized by single-factor experiments and response surface methodology. Results showed that the maximum extraction yield (5.49%) was obtained at ultrasonic power 158W, extraction temperature 62°C, extraction time 80min and ratio of water to material 20mL/g. The obtained crude polysaccharides were further purified to afford a neutral and an acidic fraction. The structure of the main neutral polysaccharide (named PPS with molecular weight of 3.26×10(5)Da) was characterized as a linear (1→6)-α-d-glucan by gas chromatography, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, methylation analysis, 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance. At the concentration of 400μg/mL, the inhibitory ratios of PPS on HepG-2 and BGC-823 cells were 53.35% and 38.58%, respectively. Results suggested this polysaccharide could be a potential natural antitumor agent.