Characterization of polysaccharides extracted from Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A.DC. affecting activation of chicken peritoneal macrophages.

ABSTRACT

Polysaccharides were isolated from Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A.DC. (PG) and the effects of three polysaccharides (PGPS80, PGPS60, PGPSt) on their immunological activities were studied. The structure identification of PGPSs was assessed using physicochemical and spectral methods. Results showed that PGPSt(2.67×105Da) compared to PGPS80(1.01×105Da) and PGPS60(1.12×105Da) has relatively higher average molecular weight(Mw) at the first peak with a narrower molecular weight distribution and all consisted of glucose, mannose, arabinose, galactose, xylose and rhamnose in different mass percentages. PGPS80 and PGPSt linked mainly by 1,3-and 1,6-ß-d-Galp residues. The immunological efficacy of PGPSs was performed on chicken peritoneal macrophages. Results showed that PGPSt significantly increased phagocytic rates, proliferation and NO production, stimulated macrophages to produce cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 as well as stimulated macrophages to express the maturation markers CD80 and CD86. These findings suggest that PGPSt exerted significant immunological activity and might be associated with special characters.