Antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Lentinus edodes and their significance for disease prevention

► Three polysaccharide fractions coded as LEPA1, LEPB1 and LEPC1 were purified from the fruiting bodies of Lentinus edodes. ► The chemical properties of three polysaccharides were preliminarily identified. ► Two acid polysaccharide, LEPB1 and LEPC1, exhibited more potent antioxidant activities in vitro than the neutral polysaccharide of LEBA1. ► More consumption for mushroom would be beneficial to restore health or protect human body from many diseases induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS).