Protective effect of a polysaccharide from stem of Codonopsis pilosula against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

► Codonopsis pilosula has been long used for treatment of various ischemic events. ► We purified a polysaccharide (S-CPPA1) from the stem of C. pilosula. ► S-CPPA1 is a branched polysaccharide, with five glucosidic linkage forms. ► S-CPPA1 exerts a protective effect on ischemia/reperfusion induced renal injury. ► Renoprotective effect is probably mediated by inhibiting TNF-α release.