Efficient extraction, antioxidant activities and anti-inflammation of polysaccharides from Notopterygium franchetii Boiss.

To optimize the extraction of polysaccharides from Notopterygium franchetii Boiss (NFP), microwave-assisted aqueous two phase system (MAATPS) and response surface methodology (RSM) were employed. Results showed that the optimum conditions of MAATPS were as follows: ethanol concentration of 32 % (w/w), (NH4)2SO4 concentration of 24 % (w/w) and extraction time of 15 min. Under such condition, YS (the recovery of polysaccharides) was 80.57 % with 90.40 % of YP (the recovery of proteins). In addition, analysis of the physicochemical properties of extracted polysaccharides (NFP-MAATPS) under the optimal conditions indicated that compared to polysaccharides extracted by traditional extraction method (NFP-HWE), NFP-MAATPS exhibited higher extraction efficiency, decreased average molecular weight, different monosaccharide compositions and mole ratios. Moreover, NFP-MAATPS exhibited stronger antioxidant activity in vitro and more potent anti-inflammatory activity in zebrafish embryos than NFP-HWE. Our results suggest that purified NFP-MAATPS could be potentially used in complementary medicines or functional foods.