Recent advances in the extraction, purification, structural characteristics and bioactive properties of Radix...

Radix isatidis polysaccharide (RIPs), the primary bioactive constituent of Radix isatidis (Banlangen), have attracted substantial attention in traditional medicine and food industry. This review comprehensively encapsulates the recent advancement in the extraction, purification, structural characterization, bioactivities and potential applications of RIPs. A plethora of extraction methods for RIPs have been summarized. RIPs are intricate heteropolysaccharides primarily consisting of various monosaccharides, including glucose, galactose and arabinose, interconnected by glycosidic bonds in α- and β- configurations via 1 → 4 and 1 → 6 linkages, with molecular weight spanning from 955.6 Da to 2000 kDa. Moreover, RIPs exhibit diverse bioactivities, including immunomodulation, antioxidant, antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and intestinal regulation. These properties are directly related to their chemical structures, underscoring the importance of structural diversity in governing biological functions. This review aims to furnish a robust theoretical basis for elucidating the underlying mechanisms of RIPs, thereby fostering their development of novel drugs and functional foods.