Variation in antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Fructus Jujubae in South Xinjiang area

Abstract

The Fructus Jujubae has been widely used as favorable food and folk medicine in China and Russia. In this study, we compared the carbohydrate constituents and antioxidative effects of Fructus Jujubae polysaccharides from five different production areas in South Xinjiang. Results demonstrated that the average annual temperature (r=0.590) and frost-free period (r=0.779) were well correlated to the uronic acid content, while the neutral carbohydrate content showed negative correlation with precipitation amount (r=-0.567). Antioxidative tests indicated that Fructus Jujubae polysaccharides could scavenge chemicals-induced reactive oxygen species in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, these polysaccharides could rescue H₂O₂-induced HUVEC death. The antioxidative activity of polysaccharides from the Fructus Jujubae might contribute to their diverse medicinal and nutritional values.