Structural characterization and anti-aging activity of two polysaccharides from Trillium tschonoskii: Insights into their structure-activity relationships.

This study aimed to elucidate the fine structural characteristics of polysaccharides from Trillium tschonoskii and to investigate the structure-activity relationships underlying their anti-aging effects. Using ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by column chromatographic purification, two novel and structurally distinct homogeneous polysaccharides, designated TTP-A1 and TTP-B1, were successfully isolated. Spectroscopic and chromatographic analyses revealed that TTP-A1 (5.19 kDa) is an α-(1 → 4)-glucan, whereas TTP-B1 (22.93 kDa) is a highly branched type II arabinogalactan. In vitro antioxidant assays and in vivo zebrafish oxidative stress models demonstrated that both polysaccharides exhibited significant antioxidant and anti-aging activities, with the structurally more complex TTP-B1 showing superior efficacy to TTP-A1 in free radical scavenging, SOD activation, MDA reduction, and telomerase preservation, and telomere length maintenance. Comparative analysis further illustrated that polysaccharide bioactivity was closely associated with molecular weight, degree of branching, monosaccharide composition, and higher-order conformation. These findings provide a scientific basis for the development of T. tschonoskii polysaccharides as potential anti-aging functional ingredients.