Advances in Chemically Modified Polysaccharides with Enhanced Hypoglycemic Bioactivity.
Fangmin Chen1, Tong Sun1, Haizhao Song1
1College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics/Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety, Nanjing 210023, China.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|January 1, 2026
Summary
Chemically modified polysaccharides show promise for treating diabetes by improving solubility and bioavailability. These modifications enhance their antidiabetic effects through various biological mechanisms, offering potential as functional food ingredients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Polysaccharides are natural biopolymers with therapeutic potential.
- Poor solubility and bioavailability limit the clinical application of polysaccharides, especially in diabetes management.
- Chemical modification offers a viable strategy to enhance polysaccharide properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review chemical modification methods for polysaccharides.
- To discuss the impact of modifications on physicochemical properties and bioactivities.
- To highlight the antidiabetic potential and mechanisms of modified polysaccharides.
Main Methods:
- Introduction of functional groups (hydroxyl, carboxyl, aldehyde, amino) onto polysaccharide structures.
- Analysis of changes in molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and glycosidic linkages.
- Evaluation of solubility, thermal stability, and biological functions.
Main Results:
- Chemical modifications significantly alter polysaccharide physicochemical properties.
- Modified polysaccharides exhibit enhanced hypoglycemic effects.
- Mechanisms include digestive enzyme inhibition, reduced advanced glycation end-products, improved oxidative stress, and gut health modulation.
Conclusions:
- Chemically modified polysaccharides hold significant potential as antidiabetic agents.
- Further research into mechanisms and scalable, eco-friendly modification techniques is warranted.
- These agents could serve as functional ingredients for diabetes management.
Keywords:
chemical modificationhypoglycemic activityphysicochemical propertiespolysaccharidesstructureMore Related Videos
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