Preparation, preliminary characterization, antioxidant, hepatoprotective and antitumor activities of polysaccharides from the flower of tea plant (Camellia sinensis)

► Crude TFPS was fractionated into TFPS-1, TFPS-2 and TFPS-3 by DEAE-52 chromatography. ► TFPS-1 had relative higher sulfate content and complicated monosaccharide composition. ► TFPS-1 and TFPS-3 showed relative stronger antioxidant and antitumor activity. ► Crude TFPS significantly prevented carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage.