Fanyi Ma

Antidiabetic activity of silver nanoparticles from green synthesis using Lonicera japonica leaf extract

In this work we report the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous leaf extract of Lonicera japonica. A color change from pale yellow to brown was observed during the synthesis process. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) studies show an absorption band at 435 nm due to surface plasmon resonance of the AgNPs, further characterized using the average size and stability of the AgNPs, which were 53 nm and −35.6 mV as determined by a zeta sizer. The spherical, hexagonal shape and the face centered cubic crystalline structure of metallic silver were confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The functional group of biomolecules present in the AgNPs was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). The synthesized AgNPs exhibited strong antioxidant activity. The antidiabetic ability of AgNPs was shown by the effective inhibition against carbohydrate digestive enzymes such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 54.56 and 37.86 μg mL−1, respectively. The inhibition of the kinetic mechanism was analyzed with LB and Dixon plots. AgNPs were identified to be reversible noncompetitive inhibitors and Ki values of 25.9 and 24.6 μg were found for key enzymes of diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase). We conclude that the results suggest that the AgNPs were found to show remarkable potential antidiabetic activity against the key enzymes of diabetes and were found to be an appropriate nanomedicine for nanobiomedical applications.

Chemical components and emulsification properties of mucilage from Dioscorea opposita Thunb

The properties of mucilage obtained from Dioscorea opposita, generated during industrial manufacturing were investigated in this study. Characteristics such as monosaccharide content, amino acid content, molecular weight, and structural features were measured, whereas morphology was observed using a scanning/transmission electron microscope. Additionally, emulsification properties at different concentrations (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0%) and under acidic and basic pH (5.0 and 9.0) conditions were studied. The results showed that emulsions prepared from mucilage and medium-chain triglycerides presented more effective emulsifying functions and higher stability, especially at low concentrations. Both, acidic and basic conditions improved the overall emulsification properties, which suggested that the isoelectric point of amino acids may be involved in the emulsification properties. The results of this study show that mucilage from Dioscorea opposita can be considered as a sustainable resource of a natural emulsifier obtained from industrial waste.

Emulsification properties of polysaccharides from Dioscorea opposita Thunb.

This study investigated the emulsification properties of polysaccharides from Dioscorea opposita Thunb. Graded alcohol precipitation was used to extract Dioscorea opposita polysaccharides fractions (4 samples) in different ranges of molecular weight. Sample 3 contained more glucose and protein (80.13% and 0.34%, respectively), and molecular weight was approximately 34,790Da, distributing narrowly. The droplet sizes and stabilities of emulsions made of gum arabic (GA) and polysaccharide samples at different concentrations and ratios were measured, specifically the emulsions of GA and medium-chain-triglycerides (MCT); polysaccharides and MCT; and polysaccharides, GA and MCT (1:1:1). The results indicated that sample 2 and 3 had emulsifying properties, and the emulsions made with sample 2, GA and MCT (1:1:1) presented the best emulsification properties. Therefore, polysaccharides of Dioscorea opposita could be utilised as a natural emulsifier that can be improved synergistically with other emulsifiers, such as gum arabic.

Rapidly screening of α-glucosidase inhibitors from Dioscorea opposita Thunb. peel based on rGO@Fe3O4 nanocomposites microreactor

Abstract Present study aimed to immobilise the α-glucosidase on suitable supports to construct enzymatic microreactors and their subsequent applicability in efficient inhibitor screening from the Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) peel. A type of lamellar and porous composites (rGO@Fe3O4) were synthesised with a facile one-step solvothermal method and employed as carriers to construct enzymatic microreactors for screening α-glucosidase ligand from the Chinese Yam peel in league with the high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The immobilisation amount of α-glucosidase on rGO@Fe3O4 under the optimised conditions was about 40 μg α-glucosidase/mg carriers. Furthermore, the binding capacities of screened inhibitors, 2,4-dimethoxy-6,7-dihydroxyphenanthrene and batatasin I, were 35.6 and 68.2%, respectively. Hence, considering their high screening efficiency and excellent magnetic separation ability, these as-prepared nanocomposite consisting of rGO and Fe3O4 may be potential supports for the enzyme (such as α-glucosidase) immobilisation for rapid α-glucosidase inhibitors screening from the diverse nature resources.

Characterisation of the mucilage polysaccharides from Dioscorea opposita Thunb. with enzymatic hydrolysis

The mucilage polysaccharides from Dioscorea opposita (DOMP) were extracted and treated with a single/dual enzymatic hydrolysis. The characterisation and viscosity were subsequently investigated in this study. DOMP obtained 62.52% mannose and 23.45% glucose. After single protease and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) treatments, the mannose content was significantly reduced to 3.96%, and glucose increased from 23.45% to 45.10%. Dual enzymatic hydrolysis also decreased the mannose and glucose contents to approximately 18%-35% and 7%-19%, respectively. The results suggest that enzymatic degradation could effectively remove the protein from DOMP accompanied by certain polysaccharides, especially mannose. The molecular weight, surface morphology, viscosity and particle sizes were measured. Enzymatic hydrolysis reduced molecular weight, decreased the viscosity, and increased the particle sizes, which indicates that the characterisations of DOMP samples were altered as structures changed. This study was a basic investigation into characterisation of DOMP to contribute to the processing of food by-products.

Characterization of a Novel Polysaccharide-Iron(III) Complex and Its Anti-Anemia and Nonspecific Immune Regulating Activities

OBJECTIVE Dioscorea opposita Thunb is the famous food and traditional medicine in China and it was rich in polysaccharides. Polysaccharides of Dioscorea Opposita Thunb possess immunoregulatory activity, free radical scavenging activity and anti-diabetic activity. A novel polysaccharide- iron(III) complex (CYPIC) was synthesized by using crude polysaccharide extracted from Dioscorea opposita Thunb. The component, structure, morphology and molecular weights of CYPIC were analysed, and the anti-anemia, acute toxicity and nonspecific immune regulating activities of CYPIC were assayed. The results showed that CYPIC could increase red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), thymus and spleen index of mice with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Although the structure and deeper mechanisms of CYPIC should be further studied, CYPIC has the potential to be used as an iron supplement for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. CONCLUSION The large scale industrial production was suggested due to the simple preparation processing of CYPIC.