Structural characterization, ?-glucosidase inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity of neutral polysaccharide from apricot (Armeniaca Sibirica L. Lam) kernels

Screening for alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and antioxidants from natural sources that could reduce postprandial glucose in diabetic patients and reduce oxidative stress had attracted considerable interest. In this study, a neutral polysaccharide (AP-1) with a triple helix structure was isolated and purified from the residue of apricot (Armeniaca sibirica L. Lam.) kernels by using DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-100 columns. The molecular weight of AP-1 was 23.408 kDa and consisted mainly of glucose with trace amounts of arabinose, galactose, and mannose, which had molar percentages of 98.48, 0.63, 0.62 and 0.27 %, respectively. The main chain of AP-1 was composed of -> 4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1 -> interlinked, and alpha-D-Glcp-(1 -> was attached as a branched chain at the O-6 position of -> 4,6)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1 ->. In addition, AP-1 exhibited stronger alpha-glucosidase inhibition and free radical scavenging ability compared to crude polysaccharides. Therefore, AP-1 could be used as a potential natural hypoglycemic agent and antioxidant in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Automated summary

A neutral polysaccharide (AP-1) with a triple helix structure was isolated and purified from apricot kernel residue. AP-1 exhibited stronger alpha-glucosidase inhibition and free radical scavenging ability compared to crude polysaccharides, indicating its potential as a natural hypoglycemic agent and antioxidant in diabetes mellitus treatment.