Structure, antioxidant property and protection on PC12 of a polysaccharide isolated and screened from Abelmoschus esculentus L.Moench (okra)

AeP-P-2, a pectic polysaccharide, was extracted from the fruit pod of okra. It composed of rhamnose (Rha), arabinose (Ara), glucose (Glc), galactose (Gal) and galacturonic acid (GalA) with the ratio of 4.75:2.01:1.00:4.91:7.24. The main structural feature of AeP-P-2 are 1,4-linked galacturonan units (homogalacturonan backbone) and (1 -> 2) and (1 -> 2,4) linked Rha (rhamnogalacturonan I region). And the other side chains contained -> 1)-linked Ara, (1 -> 5)-linked Ara, (1 -> 4)-linked Glc, (1 -> 6)-linked Gal, (1 -> 4)-linked Rha, (1 -> 2,4)-linked Rha, -> 1)-linked Ara and -> 1)-linked Gal. When the concentration of AeP-P-2 was 3.2 mg/mL, the scavenging rates on DPPH center dot, ABTS, O2-center dot and center dot OH reached to 61.88%, 87.10%, 52.17% and 60.32%, respectively. AeP-P-2 also could protect PC12 cells from the damage of H2O2 and reduce apoptosis caused by oxidative damage by decreasing the level of ROS. The findings indicated that okra was a functional vegetable and AeP-P-2 was worth studying and developing into antioxidant component.

Automated summary

AeP-P-2, a pectic polysaccharide extracted from okra fruit pods, showed strong antioxidant properties and cell protective effects against oxidative damage.