Polysaccharide Isolated from Angelica sinensis Inhibits Hepcidin Expression in Rats with Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

A novel polysaccharide named Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) was obtained from the powdered and defatted roots of A. sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. The molecular weight of ASP was determined to be 78 kDa and was 95.0% sugars consisting of mostly arabinose, glucose, and galactose with a molar ratio of 1:5.68:3.91. A previous study indicated that ASP may increase plasma iron levels by suppressing the expression of hepcidin, a negative regulator of body iron metabolism, in the liver. The present study aims to clarify the inhibitory effect of ASP on hepcidin expression in rat models of iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and clarify the mechanisms involved. It was demonstrated that ASP significantly reduced hepcidin expression by inhibiting the expression of mothers against decapentaplegic protein 4 (SMAD4) in liver and stimulating the secretion of erythropoietin, which further downregulated hepcidin by repressing CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein a (C/EBPa) and the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3/5. The results indicate that ASP can suppress the expression of hepcidin in rats with IDA, and may be useful for the treatment of IDA.

Haematopoietic effects of Angelica sinensis root cap polysaccharides against lisinopril-induced anaemia in albino rats

“…Asinensis sinensis was found to be effective for enhancing haematopoiesis by increasing the secretion of some haematopoietic growth factors (EPO) via stimulating haematopoietic cells and muscle tissues (Sarker & Nahar 2004). Roots of A. sinensis-containing ASP are reported to reduce anaemia (Liu et al 2012;Zahra et al 2016). …”

“…This effect on haematological parameters might be due to the depression of renin-angiotensin system by ACEIs, as this system is involved in the regulation of haematopoiesis (Cole et al 2000). This depression of renin-angiotensin system down regulates EPO which might affect the hepcidin expression and cause iron deficiency with anaemia (Handelman & Levin 2008;Liu et al 2012). In our study, the EPO-treated group showed improvement in the haematological parameters and anaemia induced by lisinopril (ACEI).…”

“…For centuries, various traditional Chinese medicine formulas have been used as thrombopoietic and haematopoietic agents (Liu et al 2010). Angelica sinensis L. (Umbelliferae) is a famous Chinese herb utilized for the treatment of irregular menstruation, anaemia, and uterine bleeding with the dose rate of 1-2 g/kg (Liu et al 2012). The root of A. sinensis contains various polysaccharides such as galactose, glucose, arabinose, rhamnose and xylose (Wang et al 2003;Liu et al 2012).…”

“…Angelica sinensis L. (Umbelliferae) is a famous Chinese herb utilized for the treatment of irregular menstruation, anaemia, and uterine bleeding with the dose rate of 1-2 g/kg (Liu et al 2012). The root of A. sinensis contains various polysaccharides such as galactose, glucose, arabinose, rhamnose and xylose (Wang et al 2003;Liu et al 2012). The polysaccharides separated from A. sinensis increase haematopoiesis by enhancing haematopoietic cells, promoting the release of EPO (Liu et al 2012) and regulation of iron homeostasis (Wang et al 2007(Wang et al , 2011.…”

“…The root of A. sinensis contains various polysaccharides such as galactose, glucose, arabinose, rhamnose and xylose (Wang et al 2003;Liu et al 2012). The polysaccharides separated from A. sinensis increase haematopoiesis by enhancing haematopoietic cells, promoting the release of EPO (Liu et al 2012) and regulation of iron homeostasis (Wang et al 2007(Wang et al , 2011. The bioactivity analysis demonstrates that A. sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) involve in increasing erythrocyte and leucocyte count in peripheral blood and enhancing bone marrow haematopoiesis (Zhao et al 2012;Zahra et al 2016).…”