Structural elucidation and antiaging activity of polysaccharide from Paris polyphylla leaves

To optimize the use of Paris polyphylla resources, a homogenous polysaccharide (PPLP) was obtained from P. polyphylla leaves. Its average molecule weight was 2.95 × 104 Da, and the analysis of monosaccharide composition shown that PPLP consisted of l-arabinose and d-galactose with a molar ratio of 4.2:5.8. Methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy data revealed that the backbone of PPLP was comprised of (1 → 6)-β-d-galactan, and the branched chains mainly consisted of arabinosyl residues which was linked to backbone via (1 → 3)-linkages. In addition, the antiaging effect of PPLP was investigated in a d-galactose induced mouse aging model. Compared with model group, the formations of malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly prevented, and the levels of antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) were significantly improved in serum and liver in PPLP dose groups. These results demonstrated that PPLP possessed potent antiaging capacity.