Characterization of Anoectochilus roxburghii polysaccharide and its therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetic mice.

Anoectochilus roxburghii is a traditional herb in China that can be potentially used to treat diabetes. A novel polysaccharide ARLP-W was isolated from Anoectochilus roxburghii by chromatography on DEAE-52 cellulose. Chemical analysis indicated that ARLP-W (8.1 × 104 Da) was mainly composed of mannose and glucose. The main linkages of glycosidic bonds of ARLP-W were ß-1, 4-Manp and α-1, 4-Glcp. The terminal Glcp was connected to Manp-via O-3. RT-qPCR and western blotting analysis showed that ARLP-W caused a significant reduction in the levels of the key gluconeogenesis enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase) in the liver. The results of the insulin resistance tests indicated that ARLP-W increased glucose absorption. These results indicate that ARLP-W has a good therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetes and can assist with further development and application treatment of diabetes.