Polysaccharide from Cyclocarya paliurus ameliorates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease through the inflammatory...

Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinsk, a millennia-old traditional Chinese herb, is prized for its ability to clear the lungs and nourish the liver. Additionally, it is employed in traditional Chinese medicine practice for heat clearance and detoxification, addressing conditions such as lung diseases.

This study aimed to evaluate beneficial effects of polysaccharides (CPP) from C. paliurus on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its potential mechanisms.

The chemical characterization of the isolated and purified CPP was conducted using fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. COPD was induced in male BALB/c mice by intranasal infusion of LPS and exposure to cigarette smoke for 28 days. Lung tissues were then collected for subsequent histopathological and molecular analyses. The mechanism of CPP against COPD was investigated through transcriptomic data mining and Western blot analysis. Additionally, acute toxicity of CPP was assessed in mice following a single oral dose of 15 g/kg.

Experimental evidence established that CPP consists of six monosaccharides: fucose, arabinose, rhamnose, galactose, glucose, and xylose. CPP treatment significantly reduced the levels of PCO₂ and HCO₃^- in the blood of COPD mice, concurrently alleviating pulmonary inflammation. Mechanistic investigations have revealed that CPP exerts its anti-inflammatory effect by modulating the AhR/NF-κB pathway. In addition, CPP demonstrated safety at doses exceeding 100 times the effective level.

The results suggest that CPP holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for the intervention of COPD. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of the ethnic medicinal herb Cyclocarya paliurus.