Characterization and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Panax japonicus C.A. Meyer

Polysaccharides named as CP-1a and CP-2a were extracted and isolated from the rhizomes of Panax japonicus C.A. Meyer, a well-known Chinese traditional medicine and was used extensively by Tujia nationality. The molecular weight of CP-1a was determined by size-exclusion HPLC chromatography system, with an average molecular weight of about 6383 Da. The analysis of monosaccharide composition in the polysaccharide by HPLC chromatography revealed that CP-1a and CP-2a were a heteropolysaccharide and consisted of d-glucose and d-galactose. IR spectra indicated both CP-1a and CP-2a were the polysaccharide which contains pyranose ring. Their antioxidant activities were evaluated by various established in vitro systems, including scavenging activity of superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and DPPH radicals. Available data obtained with in vitro models suggested that among the two samples, both showed inhibitory effects on superoxide, hydroxyl and DPPH radical. Compare CP-1a with CP-2a, the former has a strong scavenging ability.