Structural characterization of chrysanthemum polysaccharides and its ameliorative effect on TNBS induced ulcerative rats by alleviating intestinal inflammation and enhancing intestinal epithelial barrier function

The purpose of this study is to determine the pharmacological effects of chrysanthemum polysaccharides (JFP) on UC and characterize their structural characteristics. A rat model of experimental colitis was successfully established by means of the TNBS/ethanol enema method, and rats were administered JFP or Sulfasalazine. Rat colitis symptoms were monitored daily, inflammatory cytokine levels were measured by ELISA, and intestinal mucosal tight junction protein expression was analyzed at both gene and protein levels using RT-qPCR and WB. Subsequently, the crude polysaccharides were extracted, separated, and purified, and the structure of the purified polysaccharides was analyzed by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (IR), acid hydrolysis, methylation, 13 C NMR, and 1 H NMR nuclear magnetic resonance. JFP can effectively alleviate the symptoms of weight loss, shortened colon length in TNBS induced colitis rats. JFP could activate the anti-inflammatory response in vivo by reducing the pro-inflammatory factors and increasing the anti-inflammatory factors. Meanwhile, JFP significantly upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of tight junction proteins ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin in colon tissue. Moreover, the two main components JFP1–1-2 and JFP1–2-2 in JFP were obtained from JFP. Specifically, JFP1–1-2 was mainly composed of mannose, glucose, and galactose, while JFP1–2-2 was principally composed of mannose, galactose, glucose, xylose, and galacturonic acid. Both JFP1–1-2 and JFP1–2-2 had the highest proportion of mannose content in their structure. JFP is capable of alleviating TNBS-induced UC in rats. Additionally, the elevated mannose content within JFP might be associated with the alleviation of ulcerative colitis. • Chrysanthemum polysaccharides (JFP) alleviate TNBS-induced UC in rats by reducing pro-inflammatory factors. • JFP upregulates tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-1, occludin) to restore intestinal barrier function. • Two main components (JFP1–1-2 and JFP1–2-2) of JFP are isolated, purified, and structurally characterized. • JFP's high mannose content is potentially linked to its UC-alleviating effect, aiding drug development.