[Structure-activity relationship of plant polysaccharides]

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

• Plant polysaccharides are recognized for their safety, efficacy, and low toxicity, making them valuable in medicine and food industries.
• The biological activity of polysaccharides is fundamentally linked to their chemical structure, with variations leading to distinct effects.
• Investigating structure-activity relationships (SAR) is crucial for advancing polysaccharide-based drug discovery and functional food development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent research on the bioactivity of plant polysaccharides, focusing on their structure-activity relationships and mechanisms.
• To highlight the SAR of plant polysaccharides concerning specific activities including anti-hepatic injury, antineoplastic, antiviral, hypoglycemic, and anticoagulant effects.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of domestic and international studies on plant polysaccharide bioactivity and SAR.
• Focus on summarizing research linking polysaccharide structure to specific biological functions.

Main Results:

• Plant polysaccharides demonstrate a wide range of bioactivities, including anti-hepatic injury, antineoplastic, antiviral, hypoglycemic, anticoagulant, anti-oxidation, and immunoregulation.
• Significant differences in biological activity are observed among polysaccharides with varying chemical structures.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a comprehensive overview of plant polysaccharide SAR, emphasizing key activities.
• Findings offer a valuable reference for further research into polysaccharide SAR and the development of polysaccharide-derived products.