A review of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides: Structural characteristics, antitumor molecular mechanism and...

Lycium barbarum, a traditional iconic medicinal and edible plant with a history spanning over 2000 years, has gained worldwide recognition for its extensive health benefits. Polysaccharides, as the primary bioactive components in Lycium barbarum (LBP), exhibit diverse pharmacological effects including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and intestinal microbiota regulating activities, which are closely attributed to their unique structural features. Based on these properties, accumulating evidence has revealed the significant antitumor potential of LBP through directly modulating tumor cell behaviors and indirectly remodeling the immune microenvironment. This review systematically organizes the structural characteristics of LBP and summarizes recent advances in LBP-focused antitumor research, covering underlying molecular mechanisms, structure-activity relationships, and transformation applications. Meantime, it also critically analyzes current challenges and proposes future research directions. This study highlights the remarkable antitumor ability of LBP and provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application and translational development of natural-derived ingredients.