Structural characterization of polysaccharides from bamboo shoot (Phyllostachys edulis) and its protective mechanism against acute pancreatitis in mice through the microbiota-gut-pancreas axis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disorder with high morbidity, frequently exacerbated by intestinal barrier dysfunction and gut microbiota dysbiosis, yet effective targeted therapies remain lacking. Given the documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut homeostatic properties, bamboo shoot polysaccharides (BSP) represent a promising dietary candidate, but their efficacy in AP is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the preventive effects and mechanisms of BSP, isolated from Phyllostachys edulis , against cerulein-induced AP. Structural analysis revealed that BSP is a polysaccharide with a molecular weight of 59.45 kDa, primarily composed of glucose, galactose, arabinose, and xylose. BSP administration dose-dependently alleviated pancreatic injury, reduced oxidative stress, and suppressed the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Gut microbiota analysis showed that BSP enriched beneficial bacteria ( Akkermansia, Blautia, Bifidobacterium ) and suppressed pathobionts ( Escherichia‑Shigella, Parasutterella ). In parallel, BSP significantly increased colonic short-chain fatty acids levels, which were associated with restored intestinal barrier integrity, as evidenced by upregulated MUC2 and tight junction proteins (Claudin-1, Occludin, ZO-1), as well as reduced serum endotoxin levels. Collectively, these findings suggest that BSP may alleviate AP through a coordinated mechanism involving gut microbiota remodeling, barrier reinforcement, and inflammatory suppression. Our study supports the potential of BSP as a promising dietary intervention candidate for AP prevention and highlights bamboo shoot as a high‑value resource for developing future functional food ingredients targeting the microbiota-gut-pancreas axis.