Ginkgo biloba sarcotesta polysaccharide inhibits inflammatory responses through suppressing both NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Polysaccharides, common components of natural products extensively studied as dietary supplements and functional foods, have been found to have various activities. In the present study, a water-soluble polysaccharide, namely GBSP3a, was isolated and purified from G. biloba sarcotesta. Then the anti-inflammatory activity of GBSP3a in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages and the potential underlying molecular mechanisms were assessed.

RESULTS: GBSP3a exerted its anti-inflammatory effect by remarkably inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin- 1 beta (IL-1β) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Excessive mRNA and protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were dose-dependently inhibited by GBSP3a in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Further research suggested that the anti-inflammatory effect of GBSP3a can be attributed to the modulation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION: GBSP3a exhibits anti-inflammatory activity and it exerts its anti- inflammatory effect likely through suppressing both NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathway, indicating that GBSP3a could be used for the development of anti-inflammatory agent or nutraceuticals. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.