Protective effects of jiawei yupingfeng polysaccharides on cyclophosphamide-induced intestinal injury in mice

Jiawei Yupingfeng Polysaccharides (JYP), derived from the traditional Chinese medicine formula Jiawei Yupingfeng, exhibit favorable biological activity, although their physicochemical characteristics and role in regulating intestinal immune function and intestinal flora remain unclear. This study examined the physicochemical properties of JYP and its prophylactic effects on intestinal immunity and flora in Cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced mice. The molecular weight of JYP was determined to be 2.36 × 10⁴ Da through size exclusion chromatography multi angle laser scanner differential reflective index detector. Ion Chromatography revealed monosaccharide components and their proportions were Arabinose (10.88 %), Rhamnose (3.51 %), Galactose (5.01 %), Glucose (63.47 %) and Galacturonic acid (17.12 %). Molecular experiments showed that JYP alleviated the weight loss in Cy-induced immunosuppressed mice, stimulated the secretion of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and sIgA in the intestinal tissues of the mice was stimulated, and upregulated ZO-1, E-cadherin, and Occludin protein expression. Additionally, JYP significantly increased the superoxide dismutase and catalase activity whereas reducing malondialdehyde levels. Flow cytometry results showed that JYP also enhanced the proportion of Cluster of Differentiation (CD) 3⁺, CD4⁺, and CD8⁺ T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes. Furthermore, it increased the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria and restored SCFAs levels alongside their receptor proteins G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 43 and GPR109A. These findings suggest that JYP has the biological activity of preventing oxidative damage, enhances immune function and supports intestinal health, providing a foundation for developing new veterinary drugs and functional foods to prevent and treat immunosuppressive diseases in livestock and poultry.