Purification, partial characterization and anti-inflammatory characteristics of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) plumule polysaccharides

A novel lotus plumule polysaccharide (LPPS) was purified, characterised and cultured with RAW264.7 macrophages to evaluate its anti-inflammatory characteristics. LPPS was purified using Sepharose 6B gel filtration and dissolved into two major components, fraction-1 (F1) and fraction-2 (F2). The molecular weights of native Fl and F2 were approximately distributed at >2,000 and 25.7 kDa, respectively. The total protein and carbohydrate constituent ratios in LPPS, Fl, and F2 were 30.0 +/- 0.9% vs. 70.0 +/- 0.9%, 30.1 +/- 2.6% vs. 69.9 +/- 2.6%, and 96.5 +/- 6.1% vs. 3.5 +/- 6.1% (w/w), respectively, suggesting that Fl may be a major proteo-polysaccharide component and F2 a glycoprotein constituent in LPPS. Pro-/anti-inflammatory (IL-6/IL-10) cytokine secretion ratios by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages were significantly decreased by Fl and F2 treatments, particularly by F2, in a dose-dependent manner under a preventive experimental model. This study suggests that purified components. Fl and F2 from LPPS, have strong anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced inflamed macrophages in a preventive manner. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.