Recent advances in the extraction, purification, structural characterization, bioactivities, and applications of...

Dioscorea opposita (D. opposita), commonly referred to as Chinese yam or white yam, is a traditional medicinal and edible plant with significant nutritional and pharmaceutical value in Chinese culture. The dried rhizome of D. opposita, a core component of the Dioscoreaceae family, is rich in Dioscorea opposita polysaccharides (DOPs), the principal bioactive constituents responsible for diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-aging, antitumor, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects. These properties render DOPs highly promising for food and pharmaceutical industrial applications. The structural complexity of DOPs is influenced by varietal differences in the context of extraction methods and processing techniques, all of which directly impact the biological efficacy of DOPs. Consequently, systematic investigations into the extraction, isolation, purification, and structural characterization of DOPs are essential for elucidating their bioactive mechanisms. Give this, this review establishes a comprehensive research framework, explores current application areas, and outlines future development directions of DOPs, with the ultimate goal of providing theoretical support for the advancement of DOPs functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and interdisciplinary fields.