Abstract:
This study characterizes the structural properties of corn silk polysaccharides (CSP) and
Pueraria lobata Ohwi polysaccharides (PLP), evaluating their lipid-lowering efficacy and modulatory effects on the gut microbiota in obese mice. Structural elucidation included monosaccharide composition, molecular weight distribution, spectroscopic analysis (UV and FT-IR), and surface micromorphology. Diet-induced obesity was established in mice via a high-fat diet (HFD). The subjects were subsequently treated with CSP, PLP, or a CSP-PLP complex. Compositional analysis revealed that CSP is a 10.257 kDa heteropolysaccharide comprising mannose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, glucose, xylose, galactose, and arabinose. Morphological evaluation via SEM showed that CSP exhibits a characteristic rough surface and an amorphous, sheet-like ultrastructure. In contrast, PLP possessed a higher molecular weight (20.62 kDa) and a distinct monosaccharide profile including fucose and galacturonic acid. Morphologically, PLP displayed a smooth surface and a dense, massive conformation. Administration of the CSP-PLP complex effectively attenuated weight gain in obese mice. Compared to the HFD-fed model group, the CSP-PLP complex significantly suppressed (
P<0.05) hepatic lipid accumulation, epididymal fat mass, and serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and MDA. Conversely, HDL-C concentrations and CAT enzymatic activity were markedly elevated (
P<0.05), suggesting improved lipid profiles and antioxidant capacity. Concurrently, the CSP-PP complex modulated gut microbiota homeostasis, as evidenced by significant shifts in
α- and
β-diversity. Specifically, treatment promoted the relative abundance of beneficial taxa, including
Dubosiella,
Muribaculum, and
Akkermansia. These microbial alterations were accompanied by a significant increase (
P<0.05) in fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyric and isovaleric acids. The synergistic administration of corn silk and Pueraria polysaccharides effectively mitigates obesity in mice, a process mediated by the modulation of systemic metabolism, gut microbiota architecture, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles. These findings elucidate a novel therapeutic strategy for obesity management and provide a theoretical foundation for the development of polysaccharide-based functional foods.