Enzyme-assisted extraction, chemical characteristics, and immunostimulatory activity of polysaccharides from Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer)

In this study, enzyme-assisted extraction was used to isolate functional polysaccharides from Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) and the physicochemical and biological properties of the extracted polysaccharides were investigated, comparing with those from traditional hot-water extraction (FGWP). In macrophages, their effects on cytokines production could be ordered as FGEP-CA ≥ FGEP-A > FGEP-C > FGWP, suggesting that FGEP-CA (combined cellulase- and α-amylase-extracted polysaccharide) is a potent immunostimulator. In addition, enzymatic digestion led to differences in the monosaccharide profile of the extract. FGWP mainly consisted of rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, galacturonic acid, and glucose in molar percentages of 1.8:10.1:9.2:17.8:60.6, whereas FGEP-CA was 3.2:11.4:16.5:22.3:45.8, respectively, suggesting that enzyme-assisted extraction of ginseng polysaccharides produces a higher proportion of pectin polysaccharides. The HPLC profile of FGEP-CA also showed lower and more heterogeneous molecular weights than FGWP did. In cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice, FGEP-CA administration ameliorated decreased spleen and thymus indices (200 mg/kg), lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer cell activity, leukocyte counts, and the serum cytokines, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, and interferon-γ (100 and 200 mg/kg). These results suggest that enzyme-assisted extraction using cellulase and α-amylase is an effective method for the preparation of functional polysaccharides from fresh Korean ginseng, and FGEP-CA could be utilized as a potential immune-stimulatory agent.