66
immune responses as well as the adaptive immune system by the induction of
DC recruitment and maturation. Specifically, β-glucans were reported to
enhance the antigen-presenting function of DCs, thereby inducing tumorspecific cytotoxic T cells (Li et al. 2012).
(g) Enhancing erythrocyte immunity. Red blood cells transport the antigen foreign
body to both liver and spleen to be removed by the immune adherence function
of C3b receptor (CR1) on the cell membrane. And the C3b receptor of erythrocyte membrane has the characteristics of cluster distribution and polyvalency,
which is more favorable for the combination and elimination of antigenic substances. Therefore, the maintenance of erythrocyte normal immune adhesion
can effectively prevent tumor proliferation. Pumpkin polysaccharides could
inhibit H22 cell proliferation and enhance immune adsorption capacity of red
blood cell (Li et al. 2012). Jujube polysaccharides could enhance the immune
function of erythrocytes in mice and had obvious antagonistic effects on the
inhibition of red blood cell immune function caused by cytophosphamide (CY)
(Chen and Huang 2018).
4.7.5 Anti-diabetic Activity
Consumption of fiber-like polysaccharides has been frequently indicated to protect
against the incidence of diabetes. High intake of dietary fiber can improve glucose
metabolism and predict higher glucose control (Brauchla et al. 2012). Consumption
of viscous fiber can particularly slow down glucose absorption and this will prevent
quick peaking of blood glucose (Wang et al. 2013). Hence, a high carbohydrate diet
accompanied by a diet rich in fiber can give better control of blood glucose.
Also, reduction in plasma cholesterol levels will be achieved in diabetic patients
without raising plasma insulin or triglyceride concentrations (Uebelhack et al.
2014). Polysaccharides can influence the pathogenesis of diabetes through the modification of microbiota homeostasis and gut barrier.
Polysaccharides from plants which have been documented to have hypoglycaemic
effect include cellulose, protein-bound polysaccharides, glucomannan, mannose guar
gum, pectin/pectin fibres, caryophylline, and mucilaginous fibre (Brauchla et al. 2012;
Wang et al. 2013). These polysaccharides can initiate insulin secretion, carbohydrate
digestion, and absorption (Liu et al. 2015). Carbohydrate digestion and absorption are
also regulated by L-arabino-D-xylan, cinnzeylanin, cinnzeylanol and D-glucan, which
are extracted from Cinnamomum zeylanicum blume (Solomon and Blannin 2007).
Fructo- oligosaccharide extracted from plants and microorganisms are reported to
significantly decrease advanced glycation end products (AGEs), glycosuria, and
plasma triglycerides, as well as very low density lipoproteins (Bharti et al. 2013).
Polysaccharides feature prominently as anti-diabetes therapy in numerous
Chinese herbs (Chan et al. 2012). β- Glucans, and many other viscous plant polysaccharides have been demonstrated to have physiological activities that have been
documented to reduce postprandial glucose levels in the serum (Brauchla et al.
T. A. Oyedepo and A. A. A. Kayode
immune responses as well as the adaptive immune system by the induction of
DC recruitment and maturation. Specifically, β-glucans were reported to
enhance the antigen-presenting function of DCs, thereby inducing tumorspecific cytotoxic T cells (Li et al. 2012).
(g) Enhancing erythrocyte immunity. Red blood cells transport the antigen foreign
body to both liver and spleen to be removed by the immune adherence function
of C3b receptor (CR1) on the cell membrane. And the C3b receptor of erythrocyte membrane has the characteristics of cluster distribution and polyvalency,
which is more favorable for the combination and elimination of antigenic substances. Therefore, the maintenance of erythrocyte normal immune adhesion
can effectively prevent tumor proliferation. Pumpkin polysaccharides could
inhibit H22 cell proliferation and enhance immune adsorption capacity of red
blood cell (Li et al. 2012). Jujube polysaccharides could enhance the immune
function of erythrocytes in mice and had obvious antagonistic effects on the
inhibition of red blood cell immune function caused by cytophosphamide (CY)
(Chen and Huang 2018).
4.7.5 Anti-diabetic Activity
Consumption of fiber-like polysaccharides has been frequently indicated to protect
against the incidence of diabetes. High intake of dietary fiber can improve glucose
metabolism and predict higher glucose control (Brauchla et al. 2012). Consumption
of viscous fiber can particularly slow down glucose absorption and this will prevent
quick peaking of blood glucose (Wang et al. 2013). Hence, a high carbohydrate diet
accompanied by a diet rich in fiber can give better control of blood glucose.
Also, reduction in plasma cholesterol levels will be achieved in diabetic patients
without raising plasma insulin or triglyceride concentrations (Uebelhack et al.
2014). Polysaccharides can influence the pathogenesis of diabetes through the modification of microbiota homeostasis and gut barrier.
Polysaccharides from plants which have been documented to have hypoglycaemic
effect include cellulose, protein-bound polysaccharides, glucomannan, mannose guar
gum, pectin/pectin fibres, caryophylline, and mucilaginous fibre (Brauchla et al. 2012;
Wang et al. 2013). These polysaccharides can initiate insulin secretion, carbohydrate
digestion, and absorption (Liu et al. 2015). Carbohydrate digestion and absorption are
also regulated by L-arabino-D-xylan, cinnzeylanin, cinnzeylanol and D-glucan, which
are extracted from Cinnamomum zeylanicum blume (Solomon and Blannin 2007).
Fructo- oligosaccharide extracted from plants and microorganisms are reported to
significantly decrease advanced glycation end products (AGEs), glycosuria, and
plasma triglycerides, as well as very low density lipoproteins (Bharti et al. 2013).
Polysaccharides feature prominently as anti-diabetes therapy in numerous
Chinese herbs (Chan et al. 2012). β- Glucans, and many other viscous plant polysaccharides have been demonstrated to have physiological activities that have been
documented to reduce postprandial glucose levels in the serum (Brauchla et al.
T. A. Oyedepo and A. A. A. Kayode