Structural elucidation of a Acanthopanax senticosus polysaccharide CQ-1 and its hepatoprotective activity via gut health regulation and antioxidative defense

Acanthopanax senticosus has proven health benefits, particularly for liver damage. The objective of this study was to elucidate the protective effects and the underlying mechanisms of action of A. senticosus against metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). A novel homogeneous water-soluble polysaccharide, CQ-1, was successfully isolated and purified from A. senticosus root. The main chain structure of CQ-1 was identified as -> 2)-alpha-L-Rha-(1 -> 4)-alpha-D-GalAp-(1 -> 6)-beta-D-Galp-(1 ->. Additionally, branched chains comprising an arabinosyl residue, galactosyl residue, and galacturonic acidic residue were identified as being attached to -> 2,4)-alpha-LRha-(1 ->, -> 3,6)-beta-D-Galp-(1 ->, and -> 3,4)-alpha-D-GalAp-(1 ->, respectively. CQ-1 exhibited antioxidant and prebiotic activities in vitro. CQ-1 increased antioxidant capacity and reduced serum pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice. Additionally, CQ-1 has been shown to enhance the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota, thereby facilitating the restoration of gut function. These include improving intestinal barrier function and increasing short-chain fatty acid levels in mice. Our study has shown that CQ-1 has a hepatoprotective effect in MAFLD mice, and we have proposed that CQ-1 may be a promising strategy for the treatment of MAFLD.