Fabricating Blackened Jujube Polysaccharide-Zn (II) Complex to Enhance its Anti-Inflammatory Effect: Structural...

Polysaccharides extracted from blackened jujubes (BP) demonstrate remarkable pharmacological activities. Chelation with zinc ions represents an effective strategy for enhancing their biological functions. In this study, a novel polysaccharide-Zn (II) complex derived from blackened jujube (BP-Zn) was successfully synthesized, and its structural characteristics as well as anti-inflammatory effects were comprehensively evaluated in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‑induced colitis model. The results indicated that -OH and -COOH groups in BP interacted with zinc ions through ligand bonds. Zinc chelation enhances the structural stability and molecular properties of BP. The BP-Zn complex demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory properties by a reduction in body weight loss, an increased thymus index, and the restoration of intestinal barrier integrity. Furthermore, microbiome analysis revealed that the BP-Zn complex modulated the gut microbiota, boosting beneficial bacteria while inhibiting pathogenic species. Metabolomic profiling demonstrated that BP-Zn modulated key metabolic pathways involved in inflammation and immune regulation, particularly amino acid and flavonoid metabolism. These results suggested that BP-Zn complex has strong potential as natural anti-inflammatory agents.