The aim of this study was to explore the primary chemical properties and anti‐fatigue effect in vivo of Pholiota nameko polysaccharide (PNP). Through UV‐visible spectrum, the absorption peaks of proteins, nucleic acids and pigments were not found. The organic functional groups of polysaccharides (3,289.97, 1,584.72, and 1,045.23 cm–1 so on) were measured by IR spectroscopy. The PNP was a semi‐crystalline or non‐crystalline substance, possessed a three‐dimensional lump structure with a smooth, dense surface and amorphous structure according to the scanning electron microscopy and XRD images. Moreover, the PNP was chain or bright‐spot structures formed by the entanglement of multiple polysaccharide fibers on the basis of atomic force microscopy. The results of anti‐fatigue suggested the PNP could significantly extend the forced swim time from 121.58 ± 18.48 and 101.91 ± 14.27 min to 154.95 ± 24.26 and 134.13 ± 25.71 min in male and female mice respectively. The LDH activity was up to 31.68 ± 4.60 U/ml in male mice and 29.49 ± 5.12 U/ml in female mice. Meanwhile, the Ca2+‐Mg2+‐ATPase activity was reached to 2.49 ± 0.41 μmol/(mg·h) in male mice and 2.44 ± 0.29 μmol/(mg·h) in female mice. The SOD activity was increased to 5.92 ± 1.19 U/ml in male mice and 5.89 ± 0.98 U/ml in female mice, while the MDA content was decreased to 2.24 ± 0.34 nmol/mg in male mice and 2.02 ± 0.41 nmol/mg in female mice. These results showed a theoretical basis for application of the PNP in food and pharmacy as a natural physical strengthening substance.
Practical applications
Fatigue affects physical and mental health in vivo, which resulted in negative effects on everyday tasks, leisure activities, cognitive and behavioral performances and is very common in modern life. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the primary chemical properties and research the anti‐fatigue effects of Pholiota nameko polysaccharide (PNP) in mice. And then, it would be a reference for the development and utilization of PNP as a kind of healthy food on sub‐health.
Globally, medicinal plant natural products (PNPs) are a major source of substances used in traditional and modern medicine. As we human race face tremendous public health challenge posed by emerging infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance and surging drug prices etc., harnessing the healing power of medicinal plants gifted from mother nature is more urgent than ever in helping us survive future challenge in a sustainable way. PNP research efforts in pre-genomic era focus on discovering bioactive molecules with pharmaceutical activities, and identifying individual genes responsible for biosynthesis. Critically, systemic biological, multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches integrating and interrogating all accessible data from genomics, metabolomics, structural biology and chemical informatics, are necessary to accelerate the full characterization of biosynthetic and regulatory circuitry for producing PNPs in medicinal plants. In this review, we attempt to provide a brief update on the current research of PNPs in medicinal plants by focusing on how different state-of-the-art biotechnologies facilitate their discovery, the molecular basis of their biosynthesis, as well as synthetic biology. Finally, we humbly provide a foresight of the research trend for understanding the biology of medicinal plants in the coming decades.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.