Pectin-like polysaccharide extracted from the leaves of Conocarpus erectus Linnaeus promotes antioxidant, immunomodulatory and prebiotic effects

Abstract Pectins are complex heteropolysaccharides made up of a linear main chain of repeated units of galacturonic acid that can promote different biological activities. This work aimed to isolate and elucidate the chemical structure of a polysaccharide similar to pectin, obtained from C. erectus leaves. Furthermore, we evaluate the antioxidant and immunomodulatory potential promoted by this macromolecule. The physical-chemical analyzes showed that the pectin obtained showed low degree of esterification and low molecular weight. In addition, it presented in its structure galacturonic acid, glucose, xylose, rhamnose and arabinose. In antioxidant assays in vitro the pectin expressed high activity for the DPPH and ABTS methods. In addition, the pectin obtained was able to promote the growth of probiotic microorganisms in vitro. Immunological tests have shown that pectin was able to stimulate immune cells through the oxidative stress mechanism, promoting lymphocyte proliferation and activation TCD4+ and inhibit lymphocyte activation TCD8+ and stimulate its effector mechanisms through the production of cytokines and nitric oxide, mainly producing a pro-inflammatory immune response, without causing damage to cells. These results highlight the potential use of pectin extracted from C. erectus leaves as an antioxidant, prebiotic and immunomodulatory agent.