Genus Paeonia polysaccharides: A review on their extractions, purifications, structural characteristics, biological...

The Paeonia genus, the most distinctive representative of the Paeoniaceae family, holds significant edible and medicinal value. Its plants are rich in chemical constituents, including polysaccharides, phenols, terpenes, and flavonoids. Among these, Paeonia polysaccharide (PPS) is a key bioactive component, exhibiting diverse biological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-depressant, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, immunomodulatory activities and therapeutical effect of diabetic kidney disease. Additionally, PPS possess favorable physicochemical properties including low toxicity and high biocompatibility. Recent studies increasingly demonstrate that PPS can enhance the sensory quality of food products during processing, and confer specific functional benefits through targeted biological activities indicating substantial potential for application in the food industry. The biological activity, emulsifying capacity, and film-forming properties of PPS also render them promising additives in cosmetic formulations, suggesting opportunities for further development. Despite their potential, challenges remain, particularly in optimizing extraction and purification techniques to improve PPS yield and preserve bioactivity. Therefore, a comprehensive review of the latest research advancements and future prospects is essential to deepen the understanding and facilitate the development of PPS.