Extraction, characterization and anti-inflammatory activities of an inulin-type fructan from Codonopsis pilosula

A homogenous polysaccharide from Codonopsis pilosula (CPP) was isolated and identified to be an inulin-type fructan, coded as CPP1-2-1. The polysaccharide exhibited anti-inflammatory effect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW264.7 cells in vitro and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice in vivo. Moreover, the expression of cytokines was further detected by qPCR, and the results showed that the polysaccharides can reduce the expression of inflammatory factors such as TLR4, NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6 in the cells, indicating the anti-inflammatory activities may be achieved by inhibiting the activation of TLR4/NF-κB pathway.