Abstract
A neutral glucan, GJ0D, was obtained from dried ginger (Zingiberis rhizoma) by enzymatic
extraction and purification with column chromatography. The fine structure of GJ0D
was assessed through monosaccharide composition analysis, methylation, and two-dimensional
nuclear magnetic resonance. GJ0D has a relative molecular weight of 4.0 KDa and possesses
a backbone consisting of 1,4-linked α-Glcp with substitution at C-6 of Glcp by T-Glcp. Immunoactivity assessment showed that GJ0D significantly upregulates the expression
of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in RAW264.7 cells. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was also increased
in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, the expression of several proteins associated with
immune activation signaling pathways including TLR4, the phosphorylation of IKKβ, and NF-κB (p100 and p52) were significantly upregulated by GJ0D. These results suggest that
GJ0D could promote inflammation through the
TLR4/IKKβ/P100 signaling pathway, suggesting a potential application as an immunomodulating
agent.
Keywords
ginger -
Zingiber officinale
- Zingiberaceae - structure characterization - immunomodulatory activity - glucan