Structural Characterization and Neurotrophic Activity Study of a Polysaccharide Isolated fromCampanumoea javanica

A novel polysaccharide CJP-1 was isolated from the plant Campanumoea javanica. The structure of CJP-1 was elucidated by physicochemical and instrumental analyses. The results indicated that CJP-1 was a β-D-fructosan that contained a backbone composed of the β-D-Fruf(2→1)-linkage with an average molecular weight of 2,900 Da. The in vitro biological studies revealed that CJP-1 increased the neurite length, enhanced formation of the web architecture of dendrites, and increased the density of dendritic spines of hippocampal neurons. Western blot analysis showed that after treatment with CJP-1, the expression of PSD-95 was significantly enhanced. These findings suggest that CJP-1 can promote the maturation of neurons.