"Processing-structure-activity" relationships of polysaccharides in Chinese Materia Medica: A comprehensive review

Recently, the effects of Chinese material medica processing (CMMP) on physicochemical properties and biological activities of polysaccharides have been a prominent research topic. Previous studies have primarily concentrated on individual processing methods, structural characteristics, or biological activities, overlooking the interrelationships among these factors. This review systematically summarizes how various processing methods influence the structural characteristics of polysaccharides, including molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, glycosidic linkages, and the content of neutral sugar and uronic acid. We explored the impacts of these structures on biological activities, specifically the regulation of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulating effects of polysaccharides. The chemical mechanism of polysaccharides changes during CMMP is also discussed. Different processing methods result in distinct structural variations of polysaccharides, which in turn significantly affect their physicochemical properties and health functions. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the processing-structure-activity relationships of polysaccharides is crucial to realizing polysaccharide preparations with targeted functional effects. We hope these findings not only provide novel strategies for clinical applications involving polysaccharides but also provide a reference basis for the research on improving the CMMP mechanism.