Microwave-assisted extraction, structural elucidation, and in vitro anti-glioma and immunostimulatory activity of polysaccharide from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer

This paper aimed to elaborate the chemical characteristics of ginseng polysaccharide via chemical methods and instrumental analyses; additionally, the anti-glioma activity and immunostimulatory capacity were also evaluated via biological experiments. Ginseng polysaccharide by microwave-assisted extraction (MEGP) method was purified by spongiform diethylaminoethyl cellulose (DEAE) and further separated by DEAE-52 column chromatography to obtain four MEGP fractions (MEGP-0, MEGP-1, MEGP-2, MEGP-3). Utilizing Zeta potential analyzer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), MEGPs were, for the first time, confirmed the valence state of C and O with the binding mode of elements, and all MEGP fractions contained triple-helix structure. MEGP-2 and MEGP-3 significantly reduced the cell growth rate of TJ905 and U87, showing an inhibitory effect on glioma. Among four fractions, MEGP-2 markedly elevated the immunostimulatory capacity via the activation of MAPK signaling route, with an increasing the expression levels of p-p38, p-ERK and p-JNK. In summary, this paper laid a solid foundation for the development of ginseng, as a promising drug or tonic, in the fields of anti-glioma and immunoregulation.