Antiallergic activities of polysaccharides derived from Coptis chinensis

To assess the effects and underlying mechanisms of Coptis chinensis, a traditional Chinese herb known for its antiallergic properties, crude polysaccharides (CP1) were extracted via water extraction, and homopolysaccharides were purified by column chromatography. This study analyzed the sugar and protein content, molecular weight distribution, monosaccharide composition, and functional groups of C. chinensis polysaccharides and evaluated their antiallergic effects in mice sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA). The results showed that the purified homopolysaccharide (CP2-3-1, 138.78 kDa, primarily composed of glucose) was more effective than CP1 in alleviating allergic symptoms. CP2-3-1 treatment led to improvements in anaphylactic scores, diarrhea rates, rectal temperatures, jejunum structure, and levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), mouse mast cell protease-1 (mMcep1), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) antibodies in mouse serum, which were similar to those in the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) control group. In addition, CP2-3-1 treatment significantly increased the richness and diversity of the gut microbiota in OVA-sensitized mice, restoring core microbiota to near-PBS levels, including key phyla (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) and important families (Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Muribaculaceae). This research confirms the antiallergic effects of polysaccharides from C. chinensis and highlights the potential for developing new food allergy therapies based on C. chinensis homopolysaccharides.