Extraction, characterization, and biological activities of a novel polysaccharide extract from Fructus caryophylli

Abstract

This study showed that Polysaccharide-rich Fructus caryophylli extracts (FCE) were prepared for investigation through hot water extraction. Glucose was found to be the significant monosaccharide by chemical analysis, which included Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC). The average molecular weight of FCE was ranged from 15.19 and 208.53 kDa. The bioactivities of FCE, including antioxidant, whitening, tissue regeneration, and anti-wrinkle properties, were evaluated using both in vitro and in vivo tests. In vitro antioxidant experiments demonstrated scavenging of 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), hydroxyl radicals, and strong reducing power. FCE treatment effectively reduced oxidative stress in an in vivo antioxidant experiment involving zebrafish embryos exposed to a nonlethal dose of LPS, demonstrating its potent antioxidant potential. Furthermore, FCE exhibited promise in decreasing tyrosinase activity and total melanin content in zebrafish embryos, while promoting the relative expression levels of the elastin-regulating gene Eln1 RNA and the collagen-related gene col1a1a, thereby facilitating the positive stimulation of wound healing. This research provides valuable insights into the development of FCE as a novel functional raw material for applications in the food and cosmetics industries.

Graphical abstract