Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the intestinal mucosal immunomodulating activity of a homogeneous Dendrobium
huoshanense polysaccharide (DHP) and its absorption and distribution in the small intestine of mice. Methods: DHP was
labeled with fuoresceinamine via cyanogen bromide activation, and the intestinal mucosal immunomodulating activity was
detected. A confocal laser scanning microscope was used to detect the absorption of DHP and binding to Peyer’s patch cells
via oral administration, in vitro small intestine co-culture and co-culture with Peyer’s patch cells. Results: The intestinal
mucosal immunomodulating activity was increased by 12.8%, 31.1%, 37.6% and 60.5% when compared with the control at
DHP concentrations of 25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL, respectively. Fluorescent labeling had no effect on the intestinal mucosal
immunomodulating activity of DHP. It could not only be absorbed through the small intestine in vivo and in vitro, but also could
distribute in intestinal lamina propria and bind to certain cells in Peyer’s patches. Conclusion: DHP possesses intestinal mucosal
immunomodulating activity and can be absorbed through Peyer’s patch cells of the small intestine.

Key words: Dendrobium huoshanense, polysaccharides, fluorescent labeling, intestinal mucosa, distribution