Purification, characterization and in vitro anticoagulant activity of polysaccharides from Gentiana scabra Bunge roots

•Resin methods were employed to remove the proteins and pigments from polysaccharides of Gentiana scabra Bunge roots.•The weight-average molecular weights of purified polysaccharides (named GSP-2 and GSP-3) were analyzed by HPGPC.•Monosaccharide compositions of polysaccharide fractions were measured by HPAEC-PAD.•GSP-3 showed significant anticoagulant activity in APTT and TT assays.