Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Oligosaccharides Derived from Pleurotus ostreatus Polysaccharide as Potential Neuroprotective Agents

Neurodegeneration has attracted considerable attention
due to its
extensive damage to the nervous system and broad impact on the population.
Studies have shown that fungal polysaccharides, particularly those
from mushrooms, have neuroprotective effects. POP-W with this effect
was reported by our team. To understand its structure–activity
relationship, three oligosaccharides derived from the branched part
of POP-W were synthesized and characterized. H2O2-induced PC12 cell injury was selected as a model in this study.
The biological tests showed that all three synthesized oligosaccharides
were nontoxic and exhibited protective effects on H2O2-injured PC12 cells. Based on enzymatic activity assays and
apoptosis analysis, the oligosaccharide C showed the
best therapeutic effect. Further Western blot experiments confirmed
that compound C brought neuroprotective effects by regulating
Bcl-2/BAX and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. These results demonstrate
that oligosaccharide C possesses strong neuroprotective
activity and may serve as a promising lead compound for future neuroprotective
agents.