Characterisation and skin protection activities of polysaccharides from Schnabelia terniflora

The bioactivities of crude polysaccharides from leaves (L-Ps) and flowers (F-Ps) of Schnabelia terniflora (Maxim.) P. D. Cantino were studied, and the characteristics of purified fractions were analysed by HPLC, HP-GPC and NMR. L-Ps exhibited strong DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 value of 251.53 ± 4.62 μg/mL) and tyrosinase inhibition (IC50 value of 163.52 ± 2.59 μg/mL). However, the maximum moisture absorption (74.67 ± 1.53%) and retention (68.00 ± 3.61%) abilities were observed in F-Ps. Two main fractions separated by DEAE-Sepharose fast flow column from L-Ps were eluted with 0.1 and 0.3 M NaCl, while one main fraction from F-Ps was eluted with 0.1 M NaCl. Purified fractions were obviously different in monosaccharide composition, molecular weight and 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra. Therefore, the current manuscript can provide an important evidence for the potential development of L-Ps and F-Ps as promising ingredients in cosmetics industry.