Abstract:[Objective]This study aims to compare Ziziphus jujuba polysaccharide (ZJP) and its degradation products in terms of their chemical composition and bioactivities.[Method]ZJP was degraded by α-L-rhamnosidase, cellulase, snail enzyme, and trifluoroacetic acid to prepare different degradation products (ZJP-R, ZJP-C, ZJP-S, and ZJP-T), and the chemical composition and degradation effects were compared. On the basis of in vitro antioxidant and probiotic activities, the in vivo antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-stress, and neuroprotective activities of ZJP and its degradation products were compared with Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system.[Result]The mass fraction of reducing sugar and average degree of polymerization of ZJP showed significant variations among different degradation treatments. In addition, Sephadex G-50 gel chromatography elution profile showed that ZJP-S had more oligosaccharide fragments with different relative molecular mass. In vitro assays demonstrated that degradation treatments significantly enhanced the free radical scavenging ability and total reducing power of ZJP and the growth activity of probiotics exposed to ZJP. In vivo assays in C. elegans revealed that the treatments with ZJP and its degradation products significantly reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, enhanced the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) molality of C. elegans under oxidative stress. Furthermore, the treatments prolonged the lifespan, reduced the lipofuscin accumulation, and enhanced the resistance to heat stress and acute oxidative stress. ZJP demonstrated improved bioactivity after degradation, with ZJP-S exhibiting the most significant effects across multiple indicators. Additionally, both ZJP-S and ZJP-C showed significant neuroprotective activity in the C. elegans models of Huntington disease and Alzheimer’s disease.[Conclusion]Degradation treatment enhanced the bioactivity of ZJP. The greater bioactivity of ZJP-S might be associated with the more abundant oligosaccharides and reducing sugars from snail enzyme degradation. The findings provide a reference for the development and utilization of Z. jujuba resources.
