Antitumor activity of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides

Cancer is a global public health problem. Natural polysaccharides have been shown to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments. Polygonatum sibiricum (PS) has been used for millennia to treat diverse diseases. PS comprises numerous active constituents, including saponins, peptides, volatile oils, polysaccharides, and lectins. Many studies have highlighted the crucial role of polysaccharides in PS. Modern studies have shown that Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PSP) exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including immunomodulatory, antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-aging effects. However, further study of the antitumor mechanisms is difficult because the activities of PSP are closely associated with its complex structural features and the different molecular weights of its components. Therefore, this review focuses on the research background and the extraction and purification of PSP. Studies related to the mechanism of the antitumor effects of PSP constituents of different molecular weights are also summarized, and perspectives on PSP research are presented.