Characterization and antihyperglycemic activity of a polysaccharide from Dioscorea opposita Thunb roots

Int J Mol Sci. 2015 Mar 19;16(3):6391-401. doi: 10.3390/ijms16036391.

Abstract

A polysaccharide DOTP-80 from Dioscorea opposita Thunb was obtained by using the method of acid water-extraction and ethanol-precipitation. After being purified by chromatography, the structure characteristics of DOTP-80 were established. Based on the calibration curve obtained with standard dextrans, the molecular weight of the polysaccharide fraction DOTP-80 was calculated to be 123 kDa. The results of Infrared spectrum (FT-IR) indicated that the polysaccharide contained the α-configuration of sugar units. GC-MS analysis revealed that DOTP-80 was mainly composed of mannose and glucose. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats and mice models were developed to evaluate the in vivo hypoglycemic activity of the polysaccharide. The results indicated that a high dose DOTP-80 (400 mg/kg) had strong hypoglycemic activity. Moreover, DOTP-80 could increase the level of antioxidant enzymes (SOD) activity in alloxan-induced diabetic mice and stimulate an increase in glucose disposal in diabetic rats. Therefore, the polysaccharide DOTP-80 should be evaluated as a candidate for future studies on diabetes mellitus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Dioscorea / chemistry*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Plant Roots / chemistry*
  • Polysaccharides / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Polysaccharides