This study demonstrates the feasibility of producing three polysaccharides (neutral LJP -1, acidic LJP-2 and acidic LJP-3) with significant in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities from the flowers of Lonicera japonica. The three polysaccharides differed in chemical composition, molecular weight (M_w) distribution, glycosidic linkage pattern, functional groups and morphology. They exhibited excellent protective effects (in a dose-dependent manner) in lipopolysaccharide-injured RAW264.7 macrophages and CuSO₄-damaged zebrafish via reducing NO production and inhibiting the overexpressions of inflammation-related transcription factors, inflammatory proteins and cytokines in the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways. Their anti-inflammatory effects varied owing to their different molecular characteristics and chemical compositions. Overall, LJP-2 at 400 μg/mL was the most effective. LJP-2 consisted mainly of →5)-α-L-Araf (1→, →4)-α-L-GalpA (1→ and →2)-α-L-Rhap (1→ residues with terminal T-β-D-Glcp. Thus, honeysuckle flowers are good sources of anti-inflammatory polysaccharides, and precise fractionation enables the production of potent anti-inflammatory agents for the development of functional foods and healthcare products.

This study explored the potential of polysaccharides from Actium lappa (ALPs) as natural wall materials for producing ALP-based nanoparticles to deliver poorly water-soluble oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA). Encapsulating OA+UA with ALPs (ALP:OA+UA, 50:1; OA:UA, 1:1) changed the crystalline nature to a more amorphous state through hydrogen bonding and involving O-H/C-O/O-C-O groups. ALP-OA/UA nanoparticles had a particle size and zeta potential (in water) of 199.1 nm/-7.15 mV, with a narrow unimodal size distribution, and excellent pH, salt solution, temperature and storage stability. Compared with ALPs, ALP-OA/UA nanoparticles showed enhanced anti-inflammatory activity (especially at a dose of 100 μg/mL) in a CuSO₄-induced zebrafish inflammation model via down-regulating the NF-κB signalling pathway and gene expression of associated transcription factors and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8). Therefore, ALP-based nanoparticles are natural and anti-inflammatory carriers for hydrophobic bioactive molecules.