Physicochemical Characterization of a Fern Polysaccharide from Alsophila spinulosa Leaf and Its Anti‐Aging Activity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

Alsophila spinulosa, as a rare tree fern with potential medicinal value, has attracted extensive attention. Herein, the physicochemical properties, antioxidant and anti-aging activities of polysaccharide from A. spinulosa leaf (ALP) were investigated. ALP was composed of galactose, arabinose, glucose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, mannose, and fucose. (1!), (1!6), and (1!2) bond types were the primary glycosidic bond in ALP. Surprisingly, ALP displayed the wonderful activity of antioxidant and anti-aging, including excellent scavenging ability against DPPH and ABTS radicals in vitro; prolonging the life span, improving activity of antioxidative enzymes (SOD and CAT), and decreasing the level of ROS, MDA in Caenorhabditis elegans. Meanwhile, ALP promoted DAF-16 to move into the nuclear. Overall, our results illustrated that ALP could be further developed as a functional food ingredient.

Advances in Plant Polysaccharides as Antiaging Agents: Effects and Signaling Mechanisms

“…35 Similarly, a fern polysaccharide from Alsophila spinulosa leaf (ALP) displayed potent antioxidant and antiaging activity, including excellent scavenging ability against DPPH and ABTS radicals in vitro, prolonging the life span, improving the activity of SOD and CAT, and decreasing the level of ROS and MDA in Caenorhabditis elegans. 36 Two types of neutral polysaccharide fractions from Rehmannia glutinosa (RGP) can activate the antioxidant enzyme system, increase the activity of SOD and CAT, and eliminate excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus prolonging the life of Caenorhabditis elegans. 37 An acidic polysaccharide from Oxalis corniculata L. can significantly increase the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px and significantly reduce MDA and protein carbonyl levels, thus protecting HEK 293 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans from oxidative damage.…”

“…Acidic polysaccharides from Agaricus bisporus Imbach have been shown to reduce MDA levels and increase the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT, thereby achieving an antiaging effect in d -galactose ( d -Gal)-induced aging mice . Similarly, a fern polysaccharide from Alsophila spinulosa leaf (ALP) displayed potent antioxidant and antiaging activity, including excellent scavenging ability against DPPH and ABTS radicals in vitro, prolonging the life span, improving the activity of SOD and CAT, and decreasing the level of ROS and MDA in Caenorhabditis elegans . Two types of neutral polysaccharide fractions from Rehmannia glutinosa (RGP) can activate the antioxidant enzyme system, increase the activity of SOD and CAT, and eliminate excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus prolonging the life of Caenorhabditis elegans .…”