Antioxidant and immunoregulatory activity of alkali-extractable polysaccharides from North American ginseng

The alkali-extractable polysaccharide (AEP) was isolated from the root of North American ginseng. Two fractions, AEP-1 and AEP-2, were further purified by gel filtration column chromatography. Gas chromatography analysis identified that AEP-1 was composed of Glc, Gal and GalA. And AEP-2 mainly contained Ara, Man, Gal, Glc and GalA. Antioxidant assays indicated that AEP and AEP-2 exhibited significant antioxidant activities in a dose-dependent manner. AEP-2 also exhibited macrophage-activating activity by increasing NO, TNF-α and IL-6 production. The results suggest that AEP-2 could be used as potential antioxidants and immunomodulators.