Structural analysis and anticomplement activity of a novel homogenous polysaccharide isolated from Juniperus tibetica kom

Abstract

Juniperus tibetica Kom., a common forest species in Tibet, has been traditionally used in Tibetan medicine to treat rheumatic arthritis. In order to investigate the effective substances of J. tibetuca, anticomplent assay-guided fractionation using gradient anion-exchange chromatography and gel permeation chromatography was applied to the crude polysaccharides of the twigs and leaves of J. tibetica and led to the isolation of a homogenous polysaccharide, YB-PS. It exhibited a robust anticomplement activity (CH₅₀: 461?±?10?μg/mL) through the classical pathway of complement system activation by targeting complement components C1q, C3, C4 and C5. The structure of YB-PS was studied by monosaccharide composition and methylation analyses, 1?D, 2?D NMR data and scanning electron microscope. The results indicated that YB-PS was composed of Ara, Gal, and Glc with a molar ratio of 5.8:3.0:1.2. Its backbone was comprised of 1,3-linked α-Araf, 1,3,5-linked α-Araf, 1,2,4-linked α-Galp, and 1,3-linked α-Glcp with terminal α-Araf, β-Galp and 1,4-linked β-Galp as branches. YB-PS was found to have a sheet structure with smooth surface. This study provided scientific foundation for YB-PS as a potential complement inhibitor to treat diseases involved with excessive activation of the complement system.