Optimization of extraction, preliminary characterization and hepatoprotective effects of polysaccharides from Stachys floridana Schuttl. ex Benth

Optimization of extraction, preliminary characterization and hepatoprotective activity of polysaccharides from Stachys flordana Schuttl. ex Benth. (SFPS) were investigated in the present study. Firstly, the optimal conditions for extraction of SFPS were obtained by a Box-Behnken design as follows: extraction temperature 94 °C, extracting time 4 h and ratio of water to material 19 mg/ml. Then, the analysis of monosaccharide composition by gas chromatography revealed that SFPS was composed of rhamnose, arabinose, glucose and galactose in a molar percent of 2.05, 9.16, 28.66 and 60.14, respectively. Finally, we demonstrated that SFPS had a significant protective effect against acute hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice, as evident by lower levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and hepatic malondialdehyde, higher activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as higher reduced glutathione concentration compared to the CCl4-treated group. The results suggested that SFPS could be explored as novel natural supplement.