Preparation, physicochemical properties of Cistanche deserticola polysaccharides and their bidirectional...

This study compared the physicochemical properties and immune activity in vitro of Cistanche deserticola polysaccharides prepared by different drying methods (freeze-drying and hot-air-drying) and from different sampling parts (flesh and peel). Caco-2 cell models were used to evaluate the bidirectional immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharides. Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics were employed to predict their potential targets. Transcriptomics was used to validate the underlying potential signaling pathways. The results showed that polysaccharides prepared by different methods exhibited distinct physicochemical characteristics. All tested polysaccharides demonstrated bidirectional immunomodulatory activity in various Caco-2 cell models, with the CDFP-HD-2 component isolated from hot air-dried flesh polysaccharides showing the highest in vitro activity. The study further revealed a strong binding affinity with TLR4-MD2 and significant enrichment in MAPK signaling pathways. This research provides valuable references for the future development of Cistanche deserticola-derived functional foods containing biologically active polysaccharides.