Antioxidant and immunomodulatory potential of cell wall polysaccharides from Harungana madagascariensis Lam

Numerous plant polysaccharides have demonstrated immunomodulatory and antioxidant potentials, and can be investigated as novel molecules with biological properties that may enhance immune function. The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of cell wall polysaccharides fractions isolated from Harungana madagascariensis (HM). Pectin fraction (PF) and hemicellulose fraction (HCF) were extracted and tested for their antioxidant properties using reducing power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis-3-éthylbenzylthiazoline6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays, chelating activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Their immunomodulatory activities were carried out on peritoneal macrophages targeting NADH oxidase and lysosomal enzyme activities as well as the production of nitric oxide (NO) and hydroperoxides (H2O2) during phagocytosis of Saccharomyces cereviceae. The polysaccharides fractions showed significant antioxidant and immunostimulatory activities via stimulation of NADH oxidase and lysosomal enzyme of peritoneal macrophages and production of NO and H2O2. Taken together, the results of this study indicate the potential of polysaccharides from H. madagascariensis as antioxidant and immunomodulator agents.