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Intestinal Absorption and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Low-Molecular-Weight α-Glucan from Flammulina filiformis

Yue Li1,2, Mengmeng He1,2, Ziyi Xu1,2

  • 1Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Edible Fungus Preservation and Intensive Processing, Nanjing 210023, China.

Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Low-molecular-weight Flammulina filiformis polysaccharides (LMW-FFPs) are absorbed directly through the intestine. These compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory effects by regulating key metabolic pathways, suggesting their potential as bioactive agents.

Area of Science:

  • * Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • * Immunology and Inflammation
  • * Nutraceutical Science

Background:

  • * Health benefits of Flammulina filiformis polysaccharides (FFPs) are primarily linked to high-molecular-weight (HMW) fractions acting through gut microbiota.
  • * The intestinal absorption and mechanisms of low-molecular-weight (LMW) FFP fractions remain poorly understood.
  • * Investigating LMW-FFPs is crucial for a complete understanding of FFP bioactivity and potential applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To isolate and characterize low-molecular-weight Flammulina filiformis polysaccharides (LMW-FFPs).
  • * To investigate the intestinal absorption mechanism of LMW-FFPs.
  • * To evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of LMW-FFPs in vitro.

Main Methods:

  • * Isolation and structural characterization of LMW-FFPs, identifying them as α-glucans.
  • * In vitro intestinal absorption studies using Caco-2 cell models with FITC-labeled LMW-FFP.
  • * Assessment of anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages and non-targeted metabolomics.

Main Results:

  • * LMW-FFP was identified as an α-glucan and demonstrated absorption across the intestinal epithelium via macropinocytosis.
  • * LMW-FFP significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in macrophages.
  • * Metabolomics indicated that the anti-inflammatory effects are linked to histidine and glycerophospholipid metabolism, with histamine as a potential biomarker.

Conclusions:

  • * Low-molecular-weight Flammulina filiformis polysaccharides (LMW-FFPs) are directly absorbed by the intestinal epithelium.
  • * LMW-FFPs possess significant anti-inflammatory properties mediated through specific metabolic pathways.
  • * These findings highlight LMW-FFPs as potentially bioavailable components with therapeutic anti-inflammatory value.
Keywords:
Flammulina filiformis polysaccharideanti-inflammatory effectintestinal absorptionlow-molecular-weightmetabolomics

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