Sulfated modification and immunomodulatory activity of water-soluble polysaccharides derived from fresh Chinese persimmon fruit

In this study, three kinds of chemically sulfated polysaccharides (PFP-S) were derived from a water-soluble polysaccharide of persimmon fruit with chlorosulfonic acid–pyridine method. Relationship between the degree of substitution and immunomodulatory activity of PFP-S was examined with the splenocytes experiment. The results showed that the splenocytes-activating activity was significantly enhanced by PFP-S in all the groups compared with control group (P < 0.01). PFP-SII exhibited the most potent splenocytes-activating activity by increased cytokine production and NO release. It also suggested that the sulfate groups and molecular weight of polysaccharides are key factors to regulate the immunomodulatory activities.