Characterization of an arabinogalactan from the fruit hulls of Ficus pumila Linn. and its immunomodulatory effect
Jianjun Wu, Yongbin Xu, Bo Zhu, Kaohua Liu, Siqi Wang, Siqi Wang, Yunjie Sheng, Huijun Wang, Songshan Shi, Qiaoyan Zhang, Shunchun Wang, Shunchun Wang, Luping Qin
Abstract
Ficus pumila Linn. fruits has a long history of use as a functional food in East Asia. The present study developed a consecutive process for the production of an arabinogalactan (FPW) from the fruit hulls of Ficus pumila Linn.. FPW was identified as a type II arabinogalactan with a 1,3-β-D-Galp backbone with O-6 branching to 1,6-linked Gal side chains or terminal-β-D-Galp, and has a molecular weight of 156 kDa. FPW was proved be capable of promoting NO production, phagocytic activity, and the secretion of cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 without inducing substantial cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 cells, suggesting the potential utilization of FPW as an immunomodulatory agent. The obtained results emphasize Ficus pumila L. fruit hulls as a potentially ideal source of viable and naturally-derived immunomodulatory materials, also providing a method for obtaining the active arabinogalactan from Ficus pumila L. fruit hulls.