Product name: Fructoheptasaccharide
Synonym name: Fructo-oligosaccharide DP7 / GF6
Catalogue No.: BP4064
Cas No.: 62512-20-3
Formula: C₄₂H₇₂O₃₆
Mol Weight: 1153
Botanical Source:
Physical Description: White powder
Type of Compound: Oligose

Purity: 95%~99%
Analysis Method: HPLC-DAD or/and HPLC-ELSD
Identification Method: Mass, NMR
Packing: Brown vial or HDPE plastic bottle

Storage: Store in a well closed container, protected from air and light. Put into refrigerate or freeze for long term storage.
Whenever possible, you should prepare and use solutions on the same day. However, if you need to make up stock solutions in advance, we recommend that you store the solution as aliquots in tightly sealed vials at -20℃. Generally, these will be useable for up to two weeks.

The product could be supplied from milligrams to grams
Inquire for bulk scale.

For Reference Standard and R&D, Not for Human Use Directly.

HPLC of Fructoheptasaccharide

Storage conditions：Short-term storage at 2~8℃, long-term storage at -20 ~ -80℃

Introduction/Overview

As humanity's understanding of the gut microecosystem and its impact on health continues to deepen, prebiotics, as important functional substances for regulating the gut microbiota, have received widespread attention. Fructoheptasaccharide (FOS7), a natural fructo-oligosaccharide with significant prebiotic activity, has become one of the current pharmacological hotspots of natural products due to its excellent bioregulatory effects on gut microbiota, immune enhancement, and improvement of intestinal barrier function. This paper will systematically review the chemical structure and physicochemical properties of FOS7, plant origin and extraction methods, pharmacological activity and mechanism of action, druggability evaluation, and pharmacokinetic characteristics, combined with its clinical application prospects, aiming to provide theoretical basis and reference for in-depth research and development of this natural product.

Chemical structure and physicochemical properties

Fructoheptasaccharide is a fructo-oligosaccharide formed by seven fructose units connected by β-(2→1) glycosidic bonds. It has a molecular formula of C42H70O35 and a molecular weight of 1153.0020. Its structural features include linear chain fructose polymers, typically ending with a glucose unit to form a sucrose-based structure. The LogP value of FOS7 was -4.7851, indicating high hydrophilicity, and its extremely high polar surface area (TPSA) of 585.2800 further confirms its good water solubility (32.9116 mg/mL). This high water solubility allows it to remain stable in the gastrointestinal tract, is not easily degraded by stomach acid and digestive enzymes, and can effectively reach the colon to exert its prebiotic effects.

From a pharmacological safety perspective, FOS7 does not have hERG channel inhibitory activity; the Ames test result was 0.9, indicating no significant genotoxicity risk. Additionally, its low blood-brain barrier permeability indicates that its biological activity is mainly confined to the local intestinal environment, reducing the likelihood of central nervous system side effects.

Plant Origins and Extraction Methods

FOS7 is mainly found in various natural plants, especially the roots, stems, and fruits of plants rich in fructan, such as chicory (Cichorium intybus), onion (Allium cepa), garlic (Allium sativum), banana (Musa spp.), and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). Its content is greatly influenced by plant varieties, growing environment, and harvest time.

Traditional extraction methods mainly include water extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis. Water extraction involves extracting plant raw materials with hot water, combined with ultrafiltration or nanofiltration technologies to enrich fructooligosaccharide components. Enzymatic hydrolysis uses fructose enzymes to partially hydrolyze highly polymerized fructo-oligosaccharides, such as FOS7. In recent years, the application of ultrasound-assisted extraction and microwave-assisted extraction technologies has improved extraction efficiency and purity. In addition, column chromatography techniques (such as silica gel columns and ion exchange columns) are widely used for the separation and purification of FOS7.

Pharmacological activity research

As a prebiotic, FOS7 mainly exerts its biological functions by regulating the balance of the intestinal microecology. Numerous in vitro and animal model studies have shown that FOS7 can selectively promote the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp., inhibiting the proliferation of potential pathogens and thus maintaining the stability of gut microbiota structure.

Additionally, FOS7 has a regulatory effect on the intestinal immune system. Research shows that FOS7 can promote the expression of intestinal mucosal immune factors such as IL-22, enhance intestinal barrier function, and reduce intestinal inflammation. It can also upregulate the expression of tight junction proteins (such as OCLN, ZO1, CLDN1), enhancing the integrity of the barrier between intestinal epithelial cells and preventing the invasion of harmful substances and pathogens.

In metabolic disease models, FOS7 demonstrates potential to improve lipid metabolism and regulate energy balance, partly due to its activation of intestinal short-chain fatty acid receptors GPR41 and GPR43, which promote the production and signaling of short-chain fatty acids.

Mechanism of action and molecular targets

The prebiotic effects of FOS7 are mainly realized through the following molecular targets:

1. TLR4 and TLR2 (Toll-like receptors 4 and 2): FOS7 regulates the gut microbiota, indirectly affects the activation status of TLR4 and TLR2, reduces inflammatory signals triggered by pathogens, and maintains intestinal immune homeostasis.

2. MUC2 (mucin 2): FOS7 promotes secretion of MUC2 by intestinal epithelial cells, enhancing the thickness and protective function of the intestinal mucus layer, and preventing pathogen adhesion and invasion.

3. IL-22 (interleukin-22): FOS7 induces IL-22 expression. As a key immunoregulatory factor, IL-22 promotes intestinal epithelial repair and antimicrobial peptide production.

4. OCLN (closure protein), ZO1 (tight junction protein 1), CLDN1 (tight junction protein 1): FOS7 enhances the integrity of the intestinal barrier by upregulating the expression of these tight junction proteins, preventing increased intestinal permeability.

5. GPR43 and GPR41 (short-chain fatty acid receptors): FOS7 promotes the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in gut microbes and binds to GPR43 and GPR41, regulating intestinal immunity and metabolic functions.

6. BIFIDO (Bifidobacteria): FOS7 serves as a high-quality substrate for bifidobacteria, promoting their proliferation and enhancing the dominant position of the gut probiotic flora.

In summary, FOS7 regulates the gut microecology and immune environment through synergistic effects of multiple targets and pathways, exerting its broad biological effects.

Druggability evaluation and pharmacokinetics

Druggability evaluation of FOS7 shows good safety and drug compatibility. Its large molecular weight and high polarity mean that after oral administration, it is mainly confined to the gastrointestinal tract and is not easily absorbed by the intestines into systemic circulation, which aligns with the pharmacokinetic characteristics of prebiotics. Its low blood-brain barrier permeability reduces the risk of central nervous system side effects.

In vivo pharmacokinetic studies show that FOS7 exists stably in the gastrointestinal tract, is not significantly degraded by gastric acid or digestive enzymes, and can reach the colon for fermentation and utilization by the gut microbiota, producing metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids. It has fewer adverse reactions and no significant genotoxicity or cardiotoxicity risks, making it suitable for long-term oral use.

However, FOS7's high polarity and large molecular weight limit its systemic bioavailability. In the future, structural modification or formulation optimization can enhance its bioactivity and targeting.

Prospects and outlooks for clinical applications

Based on FOS7's significant role in regulating gut microbiota, enhancing the intestinal barrier, and modulating immunity, it has broad application prospects in the prevention and adjunctive treatment of various diseases. Specifically, it includes:

1. Gut diseases: such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and infectious diarrhea. FOS7 can relieve symptoms and promote intestinal repair by restoring gut microbiota balance and strengthening the intestinal barrier.

2. Metabolic diseases: obesity, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. FOS7 improves metabolic status by promoting short-chain fatty acid production, regulating energy metabolism and inflammatory responses.

3. Immune regulation: FOS7 can enhance the body's immune defenses and reduce the risk of allergic reactions and infections, showing potential value especially for children and immunocompromised populations.

4. Tumor adjuvant therapy: By improving the gut microecology, reducing the risk of intestinal toxicity and infection caused by chemotherapy, and enhancing patients' quality of life.

In the future, by combining modern biotechnology with drug delivery systems, FOS7's functional expansion and clinical translation will become even deeper. The implementation of multicenter, large-sample clinical trials will provide stronger evidence supporting its safety and efficacy. In addition, the synergistic application of FOS7 with probiotics and the development of formulations with other natural products are also research hotspots.

Conclusion

As a natural fructooligosaccharide, sucrose saccharides, with their excellent prebiotic properties and good safety, demonstrate broad pharmacological activity and clinical application potential. By regulating gut microecology and immune function through multiple targets, it offers new ideas for the prevention and treatment of intestinal and metabolic diseases. In the future, with advances in extraction and purification technology and deeper elucidation of its mechanisms, FOS7 is expected to become an important ingredient in functional foods and as an adjunct to intestinal disease treatment. Ongoing basic and clinical research will lay a solid foundation for its industrialization and clinical application, driving the development of natural product pharmacology.