Characterization of polysaccharides extracted from Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A.DC. affecting activation of...

Polysaccharides were isolated from Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A.DC. (PG) and the effects of three polysaccharides (PGPS₈₀, PGPS₆₀, PGPS_t) on their immunological activities were studied. The structure identification of PGPSs was assessed using physicochemical and spectral methods. Results showed that PGPS_t(2.67×10⁵Da) compared to PGPS₈₀(1.01×10⁵Da) and PGPS₆₀(1.12×10⁵Da) has relatively higher average molecular weight(Mw) at the first peak with a narrower molecular weight distribution and all consisted of glucose, mannose, arabinose, galactose, xylose and rhamnose in different mass percentages. PGPS₈₀ and PGPS_t linked mainly by 1,3-and 1,6-β-d-Galp residues. The immunological efficacy of PGPSs was performed on chicken peritoneal macrophages. Results showed that PGPS_t significantly increased phagocytic rates, proliferation and NO production, stimulated macrophages to produce cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 as well as stimulated macrophages to express the maturation markers CD80 and CD86. These findings suggest that PGPS_t exerted significant immunological activity and might be associated with special characters.