Structural Characterization and Hypoglycemic Activity of a Novel Pumpkin Peel Polysaccharide-Chromium(III) Complex

Abstract

The aim of our study was to synthesize a pumpkin peel polysaccharide (PPP)-Cr(III) complex and investigate its hypoglycemic activity. Firstly, a novel PPP-Cr(III) complex with a Cr content of 23.77 mg/g was synthesized and characterized. Physicochemical characterization indicated that PPP-Cr(III) had some changes in chemical composition, monosaccharide composition, and morphological structure compared with PPP. The molecular weights of PPP-Cr(III) and PPP were 1.398 × 106 g/mol and 3.386 × 106 g/mol, respectively, showing a lower molecular weight after the introduction of Cr(III). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that a new characteristic absorption peak of Cr-O appeared at 534 cm−1 in PPP-Cr(III), indicating that Cr(III) was successfully complexed with PPP. Secondly, the hypoglycemic activity of PPP-Cr(III) based on α-glucosidase inhibitory and insulin resistance (IR)-HepG2 cells was evaluated. Compared with PPP, PPP-Cr(III) exhibited a more significantly α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The IR-HepG2 cells confirmed an obvious increase in glucose consumption. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the treated IR-HepG2 cells were able to increase the protein levels of p-AMPK and p-GSK-3β, indicating that IR-HepG2 cells exerted hypoglycemic activity via the AMPK/GSK-3β signaling pathway. These results suggested that PPP-Cr(III) had good hypoglycemic activity, which could provide theoretical support for the development of novel hypoglycemic products.

Progress of plant‐derived non‐starch polysaccharides and their challenges and applications in future foods

“…Metal ions incorporated with polysaccharides are a good strategy to obtain the complex with stronger biological activities. The pumpkin peel polysaccharide (PPP)‐Cr (III) complex was prepared to enhance the hypoglycemic activity of PPP alone (Zhang et al., 2022). Results showed that PPP‐Cr (III) had better hypoglycemic activity to inhibit α‐glucosidase and insulin resistance through the AMPK/GSK‐3β signaling pathway.…”

Integrated Mechanism of Immune Response Modulation by Arctium Lappa L. Fructans Based on Microbiome and Metabolomics Technologies

“…Polysaccharides are natural biomacromolecules consisting of more than ten monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds 1 and exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such as immune-modulating, 2 antioxidant, 3 hypoglycemic, 4 and antiinflammatory. 5 Furthermore, polysaccharides play an important role in intestinal health by maintaining the balance of intestinal microbiota and producing beneficial metabolites.…”

“…Polysaccharides are natural biomacromolecules consisting of more than ten monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds and exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such as immune-modulating, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and anti-inflammatory . Furthermore, polysaccharides play an important role in intestinal health by maintaining the balance of intestinal microbiota and producing beneficial metabolites. , In recent years, several herb and mushroom polysaccharides (e.g., polysaccharides from Lentinula edodes, Ganodorma lucidum, and Astragalus membranaceus) have been successfully applied in functional foods and drugs as the main or auxiliary ingredient.…”

Preparation and Characterization of Ginger Peel Polysaccharide–Zn (II) Complexes and Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Activity

“…These exposed sites also provide a basis for chemical modifications [ 8 ]. The chemical modification of polysaccharides by changing the structure or adding new groups can boost the existing bioactivities or bring new functional properties [ 9 , 10 ]. Therefore, it is a potential method to enhance the anti-inflammatory activity of polysaccharides by chemical modifications.…”