A novel Hericium erinaceus polysaccharide: Structural characterization and prevention of H₂O₂-induced oxidative...

In this paper, the structural characteristics and bioactivity of a novel polysaccharide from H. erinaceus (HEP_N) were investigated, wherein, physico-chemical characterization demonstrated that HEP_N with an average molecular weight of 12.713 kDa was composed of mannose (5.13%), glucose (43.02%), and galactose (51.85%). The models in vitro for preventing oxidative damage of human gastric epithelium (GES-1) cells were established and used to investigate the preventive effects of HEP_N from oxidative damage. It was found that HEP_N could significantly prevent GES-1 cells against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage by promoting cell proliferation, inhibiting cell necrosis, reducing ROS levels, regulating mitochondrial membrane potential and maintaining mitochondrial membrane permeability. These results indicated HEP_N can effectively prevent gastric cell damage in vitro and suggested the potential application of HEP_N as bioactive ingredient for healthy foods.