Porous poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres loaded with neutral and acidic ginseng polysaccharides ameliorate...

In this study, porous poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres loaded with ginseng polysaccharides were successfully prepared and used to ameliorate pneumonia in mice. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed the successful preparation of porous PLGA microspheres loaded with neutral ginseng polysaccharides (GP-N) and acidic ginseng polysaccharides (GP-S). Porous PLGA microspheres loaded with GP-N and GP-S had good release profiles. In vitro tests revealed that the release solution of porous PLGA microspheres loaded with GP-N and GP-S was nontoxic. The release solutions of porous PLGA microspheres loaded with GP-N and GP-S can both effectively reduce tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. Porous PLGA microspheres loaded with GP-N and GP-S ameliorated mouse pneumonia by modulating cytokine levels and antioxidant enzyme activities. Porous microspheres loaded with GP-S exhibited more potent anti-inflammatory effects than those loaded with GP-N. This phenomenon may be attributed to the presence of uronic acid in the GP-S. Transcriptomics revealed that the potential anti-pneumonia mechanism of porous PLGA microspheres loaded with GP-S may ameliorate pneumonia in mice through cytochrome P450 drug metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and MAPK signaling pathways. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the amelioration of pneumonia using ginseng polysaccharides.