A novel polysaccharide from Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis: Characterization and effects on the function of fibroblast-like synoviocytes

A novel polysaccharide (LJCP-2b) was isolated from Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis, and its structural features were identified by molecular weight distribution, infrared spectrum, monosaccharide composition, methylation analysis and NMR. LJCP-2b was a homogeneous heteropolysaccharide with a molecular weight of 7.0 kDa and composed of glucose, galacturonic acid, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, mannose and glucuronic acid. Structural analysis revealed that LJCP-2b was mainly consisted of 1,3,6-β-D-Galp, 1,4-α-D-Glcp, 1,4,6-α-D-Glcp, 1,4-β-D-Galp, 1,2,4-α-L-Rhap and 1,4-α-D-GalpA. In vitro experiments showed that LJCP-2b could affect the function of TNF-α-induced rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS), including weakening cell viability, increasing apoptosis rate, decreased migration number and adhesion capacity, and reduced the levels of IL-6 and IL-1β. These results indicated that LJCP-2b exhibited the activity of inhibiting the hyperproliferation and inflammatory response of RA-FLS, which may be developed for prevention or treatment of RA.