Preliminary characterization of the structure and immunostimulatory and anti-aging properties of the polysaccharide fraction of Haematococcus pluvialis

In this study, a polysaccharide fraction (HPP-c3-s1) was obtained from Haematococcus pluvialis using DEAE-52 anion exchange and Sephacryl S400 chromatographies. The structure of HPP-c3-s1 was partially characterized and its biological activity was investigated. HPP-c3-s1 is a homogeneous polysaccharide with a molecular weight of 23 413 kDa as determined by high-performance gel permeation chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Periodate oxidation and Smith degradation analysis combined with GC-MS determined that HPP-c3-s1 contains 1 → 2, 1 → 3, 1 → 4, and probably a few 1 → 6 glycosyl linkages. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses indicate HPP-c3-s1 is a pyranose containing an amino and O-acetyl group. The sugar chains in HPP-c3-s1 contain both α and β glycosidic configurations, where the β configuration is the primary form. It was observed that the HPP-c3-s1 nanostructure had linear and branched forms at a concentration of 5 μg mL(−1) and created different sized aggregates at a higher concentration of 50 μg mL(−1). Furthermore, HPP-c3-s1 had significant immunostimulatory effects on splenocytes and B lymphocytes. In assays assessing anti-aging effects, HPP-c3-s1 extended the mean survival of Caenorhabditis elegans without adversely affecting reproduction. In addition, treatment with HPP-c3-s1 resulted in delays in age-related physiologic parameters, including body movement, rates of head swing and body bending, and accumulation of intestinal lipofuscinosis in C. elegans. Overall, these results suggest HPP-c3-s1 has remarkable immunomodulatory and anti-aging properties that may serve as the basis for development of functional foods and dietary supplements.