Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of extracellular polysaccharides from Morchella esculenta.

摘要

Morchella esculenta is an edible medicinal mushroom native to China. This study investigated the antioxidant activity of M. esculenta extracellular polysaccharides (MEEP). An in vitro antioxidant assay showed that MEEP exhibited strong hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and moderate DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power. For antioxidant testing in vivo, MEEP were orally administered over a period of 60 days to a D-galactose induced aged mice model. Administration of the polysaccharides significantly inhibited formation of malondialdehyde in liver and serum, and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MEEPs markedly enhanced the immune system by causing macrophage phagocytosis and splenocyte proliferation in D-galactose induced mice. Results suggest that EPs from M. esculenta are a promising source of natural antioxidants and immunoenhancing drugs.