To achieve high-value utilization of Salvia miltiorrhiza , a homogeneous pectic acidic polysaccharide (DSPS3, Mw 7974 Da) was isolated from its roots, mainly composed of galacturonic acid (69.13 %), rhamnose (11.01 %), and arabinose (8.82 %). Its backbone is 1,4-α-Gal p A with acetylation and methylation modifications, and it lacks a triple-helical structure. Using DSPS3 as a carrier, tanshinone IIA-loaded self-assembled nanoparticles (TanIIA@DSPS3) were prepared, showing 88.8 % encapsulation efficiency (mass ratio 1:10), regular spherical morphology (316.5 nm), and a zeta potential of −14.6 mV. tanshinone IIA was dispersed amorphously, with improved solubility and stability. Both DSPS3 and TanIIA@DSPS3 exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity in ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays, excellent moisture absorption and retention properties, and significant inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Cutibacterium acnes (TanIIA@DSPS3 showed superior antibacterial activity). These findings support the potential of DSPS3 and TanIIA@DSPS3 as natural cosmetic ingredients. • 1 A homogeneous pectic polysaccharide (DSPS3) was isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza . • 2 DSPS3 is characterized by a 1,4-α-Gal p A backbone modified by acetylation and methylation. • 3 Self-assembled TanIIA@DSPS3 nanoparticles remarkably enhance the solubility of tanshinone IIA. • 4 DSPS3 and TanIIA@DSPS3 nanoparticles exhibit antioxidant, moisturizing and antibacterial properties.
Zhang et al. (Fri,) studied this question.