The Effects of Bletilla striata Polysaccharides on Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Activities of Mice In Vivo

Abstract

Bletilla striata polysaccharide is a well-known antioxidant and immunomodulatory ingredient used in a variety of traditional Chinese medicine applications. A mouse aging model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose to explore the antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of B. striata polysaccharides. B. striata polysaccharide was found to boost antioxidant capacity and retard aging in a subacutely aged mouse. In comparison to the cyclophosphamide alone group, the groups given 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg of B. striata polysaccharide showed considerably higher levels of total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, with significantly lower malondialdehyde levels. To investigate the moderating effect of B. striata polysaccharide on immunological deficit, cyclophosphamide was injected into the abdominal cavity to create an immunocompromised mouse model. B. striata polysaccharide attenuated immunosuppressive effects of cyclophosphamide. The histological staining demonstrated that both liver and spleen cells in the control group were densely packed, with distinct nuclei and qualitative characteristics. The liver and spleen of the immunocompromised mice benefited significantly from 450 mg/kg B. striata polysaccharide. Taken together, B. striata polysaccharide exhibits an antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects in vivo.