Preparation, structural characterization and protective effect on PC12 cells of polysaccharides from the stipe of Morchella esculenta

Morchella esculenta is a type of edible mushroom used in traditional medicine, which is popular among consumers, and the stipe of M. esculenta is the industrial waste of M. esculenta. This study reports the isolation and purification of a novel polysaccharide (MP-C) from the stipe of M. esculenta, and we analyzed its chemical structure. The results showed that→4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→,T-α-D-Glcp,→4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→,→6)-α-D-Manp-(1→,→3)-α-D-Glcp-(1→and→3)-α-D-Manp-(1→) comprise the main chain of MP-C. More importantly, reactive oxygen species (ROS), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels within cells were all dramatically reduced by MP-C, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were elevated. Western blot results showed that MP-C increased the expression level of Bcl-2, while inhibiting the expression of Caspase-3 and BAX. In addition, we found that the PI3K/Akt pathway was involved in the regulation of hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells by MP-C. In conclusion, MP-C attenuated the oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide in PC12 cells. This study for the development and utilization of the stipe of Morchella esculenta stipes provides certain theoretical basis.