A Novel Alkali Extractable Polysaccharide from Plantago asiatic L. Seeds and Its Radical-Scavenging and Bile Acid-Binding Activities

A new acidic polysaccharide (PLP) was isolated and characterized from Plantago asiatic L. seeds by hot alkali extraction and chromatographic purification using DEAE cellulose and Sephacryl S-400 columns. PLP has a molecular weight of 1.15 x 10(6) Da, and a monosaccharide composition of xylose (Xyl), arabinose (Ara), glucuronic acid (GlcA), and galactose (Gal) in a molar ratio of 18.8:7.2:6.1:1. The results of methylation analysis, FT-IR, and 1D and 2D NMR indicated that PLP was a highly branched heteroxylan of beta-1,4-linked Xylp backbone with three a-GlcAp-(1 -> 3)-Araf attached to the O-3 position and one a-T-linked-GlcAp and one alpha-Araf-(1 -> 5)-Araf attached to the O-2 position every eight monosaccharide residues. PLP exhibited scavenging abilities against hydroxyl, peroxyl anion, and DPPH radicals in vitro and showed significant binding capacities against cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids, suggesting its possible cholesterol-lowering activity. The results demonstrated the potential use of PLP in functional foods and nutraceuticals.