Legume seed coat polysaccharides: Extraction, physicochemical properties, and anti-inflammatory potential against...

Intestinal inflammation refers to the inflammatory response in the intestines due to various causes, encompassing conditions such as infectious enteritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These disorders pose significant public health challenges, in severe cases, may lead to complications such as colon cancer. Legumes are integral to human nutrition, but their seed coats - by-products of processing - are often overlooked despite their untapped potential. Emerging evidence demonstrates that legume seed coat polysaccharides (LSCPs) exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and gut microbiota-regulating properties, suggesting their promise for alleviating intestinal inflammation. This review summarizes extraction methods, physicochemical properties, and mechanisms by which LSCPs mitigate intestinal inflammation, aiming to provide a reference for comprehensive utilization of leguminous resources and propel the development of novel therapies for gastrointestinal health.