From nutrition to smart therapy food-derived polysaccharides for dermatological applications: a review

Food-derived polysaccharides are increasingly acknowledged as biofunctional agents within the field of dermatology. However, traditional topical treatments face issues like poor targeting, limited flexibility, and safety concerns. This review provides a systematic examination of the structural characteristics and functional mechanisms of food-derived polysaccharides, with a focus on their modular composition, functional group modifications, and physicochemical adaptability for skin applications. This review elucidates recent advancements in stimuli-responsive strategies, with a particular focus on systems activated by pH, ROS, and enzymes. The incorporation of these polysaccharides into hydrogels, microneedles, nanoparticles, and dressings facilitates precise spatiotemporal interventions. The review concentrates on the roles of food-derived polysaccharides in immune modulation, redox balance, microbiota regulation, and wound healing. It offers a critical analysis of current limitations, such as structural heterogeneity, the absence of standardized evaluation systems, and challenges related to clinical translation. Furthermore, the review outlines future development prospects, including the establishment of comprehensive databases, high-throughput screening methodologies, and validation using organotypic models. By providing a framework for transitioning these polysaccharides from nutritional support to multifunctional therapeutic platforms, the review offers valuable insights into their potential applications in precision and intelligent skin therapies.