Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua in Jiuhua Mountain: Structural Characterization and Biological Activity

Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua in Jiuhua Mountain (JHPCH) is a nationally recognized geographically indicated medicinal plant known for its bioactive polysaccharides with diverse pharmacological activities. This study isolated a homogeneous polysaccharide JPCP-70-0 from JHPCH via hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and chromatographic purification. Structural characterization by GC-MS, FT-IR, and NMR identified it as a neutral fructan (2.88 × 10⁴ Da) with Glc/Fru (6.65%/93.35%), a backbone of →1)-β-D-Fruf-(2→, and side chains of →6)-β-D-Fruf-(2→). Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model, we evaluated JPCP-70-0's effects on nematode growth. Results showed concentration-dependent regulation: low concentrations promoted growth, locomotion, feeding, and reproduction, while high concentrations induced developmental inhibition and reduced activity. This work provides a theoretical basis for the rational development of JHPCH resources.