Structure of Cardamine hupingshanensis No. 2 Polysaccharide (CHP-2) and Its Effect on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Four new types of water-soluble polysaccharides are isolated from Cardamine hupingshanensis . Herein, this study examines C. hupingshanensis polysaccharide no. 2 (CHP-2) with a molecular weight of 21.75 kDa. Analysis revealed that CHP-2 is composed of d -glucuronic acid, d -galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, and L-arabinose. It is speculated that the main connecting bond is →4)-α-D-Glc(p)-(1→), →t)-α-D-Glcp-(1→). Through perfusion experiments using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, oral CHP-2 solution is found to significantly reduce food intake, water intake, and fasting blood glucose levels, while increasing the weights of rats. In addition, CHP-2 significantly reduces the serum and liver malondialdehyde contents and increases the activity of the corresponding antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, the effect elicited by the CHP-2 solution is similar to that of phenformin hydrochloride solution. Hence, the results of this study suggest that CHP-2 exhibits blood sugar-lowering and anti-oxidation effects.