Characterization and discrimination of polysaccharides from three Atractylodes spp. based on multiple structural...

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Pharmacognosy

Background:

• Atractylodes species (AL, AC, AM) are important traditional medicines.
• Understanding their chemical composition is crucial for quality control and identifying varied functions.
• Polysaccharides are key bioactive components in these plants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare and differentiate polysaccharides from AL, AC, and AM.
• To establish analytical methods for distinguishing between these closely related species based on their polysaccharide profiles.
• To correlate chemical composition with potential functional variations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of polysaccharide molecular weight (MW) distribution.
• Determination of monosaccharide composition and content.
• Identification of glycosidic linkage types.
• Application of chemometric analysis for differentiation.

Main Results:

• A. macrocephala (AM) showed significantly higher molecular weight fractions compared to AL and AC.
• A. chinensis (AC) exhibited a higher average content of released monosaccharides than AL and AM.
• Glycosidic linkage analysis, particularly 1,4-Galp and 1,2,4-Rhap residues, effectively distinguished between AL, AC, and AM.

Conclusions:

• Polysaccharide profiles, including MW distribution, monosaccharide content, and glycosidic linkage types, provide reliable markers for differentiating AL, AC, and AM.
• AM is characterized by larger MW polysaccharides, while AC has higher monosaccharide content.
• Glycosidic linkage analysis is a powerful tool for distinguishing these Atractylodes species, aiding in understanding their varied biological functions.