Preliminary characterization, antioxidant activity in vitro and hepatoprotective effect on acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice of polysaccharides from the peduncles of Hovenia dulcis

► Polysaccharide from the peduncles of Hovenia dulcis (HDPS) was prepared. ► HDPS was mainly composed of galactose, arabinose, rhamnose and galacturonic acid. ► HDPS exhibited a high antioxidant activity in vitro. ► HDPS protected significantly against acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice.