Isolation, characterization and antioxidant activity of polysaccharide from Schisandra sphenanthera

• Characterization of SSPP11 was firstly elucidated by GC–MS, NMR, IR, HPLC, etc.
• Backbone consisted with 1,6, 1,2 and 1,3,6 Man, 1,4 and 1,6Glu, 1,4 and 1,4,6Gal.
• Man, Glu, Gal of different linkage types distributing in branched chains.
• SSPP11 had triple helix stereo-configuration.
• Its activity was correlated with structure and conformation.

A water-soluble polysaccharide (SSPP11) from Schisandra sphenanthera was purified by DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 columns. Structure of SSPP11 and its antioxidant activity was evaluated. Results showed that SSPP11 has a molecular weight of 5.3 × 103 Da and is composed of Man, Glu and Gal. A linkage analysis and NMR study revealed that SSPP11 has a backbone of →1)-d-Man-(6→, →1)-d-Manp-(2→, →1)-d-Glup(4→, →1)-d-Glup-(6→, →1)-d-Galp-(4→, →1)-d-Galp-(4,6→ and →1)-d-Manp-(3,6→, with Man, Glu and Gal, which are distributed in branched chains. The Congo red absorption test revealed that SSPP11 has a triple helix stereo-configuration. Moreover, antioxidant activity of SSPP11 was stronger than the polysaccharide from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. In sum, this study demonstrates that a moderate molecular weight, triple helix stereo-configuration and higher degree of branching are beneficial for exerting antioxidant activity.