Macroporous resin purification and characterization of flavonoids from Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco and their effects on macrophage inflammatory response.

The flavonoids (POFs) from the leaves of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco were purified using six different macroporous adsorption resins including polar resins NKA-9 and ADS-F8, semi-polar resins ADS-17 and AB-8, and non-polar resins D101 and ADS-5. Among semi-polar resins, AB-8 demonstrated the best adsorption and desorption capacities with an adsorption ratio of 86% and a desorption ratio of 52%. According to the Simultaneous Thermogravimetry-Differential Scanning Calorimetry (STA/TG-DSC) analysis, POFs showed three thermally decomposed temperatures (347.6 °C, 437.5 °C and 494.8 °C). The main flavonoids in POFs were identified as esculin, amentoflavone, glabridin, and afromosin. Meanwhile, POFs in the dosage range of 25 to 400 µg mL-1 showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells, which could inhibit the secretion of NO, IL-6, and TNF-α through the inhibition of inflammatory-related gene expressions.

Physicochemical Characterization of a Polysaccharide Fraction from Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco and Its Macrophage Immunomodulatory and Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Activities.

A polysaccharide fraction, here called POP1, was purified from the leaves of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco by water extraction and alcohol precipitation. Physicochemical characterization indicated that POP1 had a relative molecular weight of 8.10 × 10(3) Da and consisted of rhamnose (5.74%), arabinose (12.58%), mannose (10.97%), glucose (64.96%), and galactose (6.55%). The main linkage types of POP1 consisted of (1→5)-linked α-l-Ara, (1→3)-linked α-l-Man, (1→6)-linked ß-l-Rha, (1→4)-linked α-d-Glc, (1→6)-linked α-d-Glc, (1→6)-linked ß-d-Gal, (1→3,6)-linked ß-d-Gal, and termination with α-l-Man and α-d-Glc residues based on periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, methylation, and NMR analysis. POP1 exhibited excellent immunostimulating activity by enhancing macrophage NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12 secretion and activating related mRNA expression. Besides, POP1 showed significant anti-HBV activity through inhibiting the expression of HBsAg (IC50 = 1.33 ± 0.12 mg/mL) and HBeAg (IC50 = 1.67 ± 0.13 mg/mL) and interfering with the HBV DNA replication (IC50 = 0.80 ± 0.03 mg/mL). The present study suggested that POP1 could be used as immunoregulatory agent in functional foods for the prevention of HBV infection.

Biofunctionalization of Selenium Nanoparticle with Dictyophora Indusiata Polysaccharide and Its Antiproliferative Activity through Death-Receptor and Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptotic Pathways.

Bio-functionalized nanoparticles with semiconducting/metallic core encapsulated in a bio- or bio-derived materials are promising for applications in biology and especially in cancer diagnostic and healing. In this report, we report a facile, single-step, first-time synthesis and in-situ functionalization strategy for the preparation of monodispersed selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) functionalized using a novel polysaccharide (DP1) extracted from Dictyophora indusiata (a fungus). The DP1 functionalized SeNPs (DP1-SeNPs), where DP1 is attached to the surface via Se-O bond as well as physic-sorption had, an average diameter of 89 nm, and were highly uniform, extremely stable compared to bare SeNPs. Detailed investigation of the biological properties of DP1-SeNP illustrated that they exhibit unprecedented, enhanced, and selective antiproliferative activity through inducing cell apoptosis confirmed by nuclear condensation, DNA cleavage, and accumulation of S phase cell arrest. The mechanism of the induced apoptosis was found to be a combination of the activation of caspases 3, 8, and 9, the Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD), reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, as well as mitochondrial dysfunction. It is envisioned that the reported DP1-SeNPs will offer a new phase space for high-efficiency anticancer treatment with little side effect.