Exploring Tetrastigma hemsleyanum polysaccharides: A recent advance in preparation, structural features,...

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg (T. hemsleyanum) is a traditional Chinese herb recognized as a 'plant antibiotic' due to its multiple beneficial effects on the human body. As a valuable plant, its wild resources are on the verge of extinction. Fortunately, advancements in artificial cultivation over the past two decades have led to an increase in high-quality plant resources. Consequently, research on this herb has been gaining popularity. Polysaccharides are an important component of T. hemsleyanum and have received extensive attention from scholars due to their various biological activities. Currently, various extraction and purification methods have been developed to isolate T. hemsleyanum polysaccharides (THPs). These polysaccharides have demonstrated significant effects in experiments, including antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, immune regulation, metabolic-regulatory, and thermoregulatory effects. Furthermore, they possess broad application potential in fields such as food, medicine, and cosmetic industries. Unfortunately, a comprehensive review of the literature on THPs is currently lacking, which poses challenges for future research endeavors. This work aims to summarize the latest progress in the extraction, purification, structural characterization, biological activities, and applications of THPs across fields comprehensively from the past to the present, analyze the shortcomings of recent research, and discuss potential applications and future research directions.