Antioxidant and Hypolipidemic Activities of Polysaccharide From <i>Laetiporus sulphureus</i>

Laetiporus sulphureus is an edible and medicinal mushroom. Laetiporus sulphureus polysaccharide (LSP) is an effective biological agent for alleviating the oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and hypolipidemic effect of LSP. In vitro antioxidant activity of LSP were evaluated by assessing the ability to scavenge free radicals, including 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (•OH), and 3‐ethylbenzoth‐iazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS). In vivo antioxidant activity and hypolipidemic effect of LSP were evaluated by the model of Caenorhabditis elegans ( C. elegans ). Antioxidant test results showed that LSP (1 mg/mL) could scavenge the radicals of DPPH, •OH, and ABTS, with the inhibition value of 40.41%, 12.68%, and 62.74%, respectively. In addition, LSP increased the activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in C. elegans . This research also found that LSP (1 mg/mL) could decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) content (67%), reactive oxygen species (ROS) content (62%), and relative fat level (55%) in C. elegans , compared with the control group. The present findings suggested that LSP could alleviate hyperlipidemia by decreasing the MDA content and fat accumulation in C. elegan s. The above results suggested that LSP could be used as a potential approach to alleviate hyperlipidemia as well as contribute to the development of LSP‐related products.