Preparation, characterization and anti‑iron deficiency anemia activity of Armillaria mellea polysaccharide-Fe(III) complex.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a nutritional deficiency disease. As an essential trace mineral in the human body, iron plays a key role in the process of cyclic metabolism. The polysaccharide‑iron(III) complex (PIC) is regarded as an ideal iron supplement due to its high stability, good water solubility, and low side effects. In this study, the purified Armillaria mellea polysaccharide-Fe(III) (WAMP-P-Fe(III)) complex was prepared by ferric chloride method. Structural characterization confirmed the successful synthesis of β-FeOOH. Compared with purified Armillaria mellea polysaccharide (WAMP-P), the interactions with Fe(III) reduced the crystallinity, improved the thermal stability, and changed the morphological characteristics. The Hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy indicated that a stable coordination structure was formed between WAMP-P and Fe(III). In vitro digestion experiments showed that the WAMP-P-Fe(III) complex had better iron release and iron utilization than the second-generation inorganic iron. WAMP-P-Fe(III) complex could restore the blood index, physiological state, iron level, and inhibit lipid peroxidation in the liver tissue of rats with IDA. Therefore, WAMP-P-Fe(III) complex has a good improvement effect on the iron deficiency symptoms of IDA, and provides an experimental basis for its use as a functional excipient for drugs and health products of Armillaria mellea.