Plant polysaccharides are compounds composed of many identical or different monosaccharides with α- or β-glycosidic bonds. They are commonly found in plants in nature, including starch, cellulose, polysaccharides, and fruits. Glue etc. Due to the wide range of sources of plant polysaccharides, the molecular composition and molecular weight of different plant polysaccharides vary. Some plant polysaccharides, such as starch, cellulose, and pectin, have long become an important part of people's daily lives. This article discusses biologically active polysaccharides other than starch and cellulose. my country's research on polysaccharides began in the 1970s. In recent years, the research on polysaccharides has become more and more popular and developed rapidly: in terms of mechanism of action and clinical aspects, from general observations to the level of molecules and receptors; from animal experiments, development to clinical applications and the production of health food. The international scientific community regards the research of polysaccharides as the frontier field of life sciences, and even proposed that the 21st century is the century of polysaccharides.
In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine in my country, many plants have the same origin as medicine and food. They not only serve as daily food, but also have medical and health care functions. A large number of modern medical experiments have also proven that eating certain plants has significant effects in treating certain diseases: for example, pumpkin is the best food for diabetics and has significant effects in preventing and treating diabetes; Phyllanthus emblica juice can prevent Block the synthesis of strong carcinogen N-nitroso compounds in animals and humans.
1. Health-care functions of plant polysaccharides
Scientific experimental studies have shown that many plant polysaccharides have biological activities, including immune regulation, anti-tumor, hypoglycemia, hypolipidemia, and anti-radiation. , antibacterial, antiviral, liver protection and other health-care effects:
Immunomodulatory effects of plant polysaccharides
Due to the rapid development of modern medicine, cell biology and molecular biology, people are more concerned about the immune system. The understanding becomes deeper and deeper. Immune system disorders can lead to human aging and the occurrence of various diseases. The immunoregulatory effect of polysaccharides is mainly accomplished by activating macrophages, T and B lymphocytes, reticuloendothelial system, complement and promoting the production of interferon and interleukin. Studies have shown that jujube polysaccharides can increase the growth of polysaccharides, such as bamboo leaf polysaccharides, Gynostemma pentaphyllum polysaccharides, cordyceps polysaccharides, black bean crude polysaccharides, fig polysaccharides, Hericium polysaccharides, Chinese kiwi fruit polysaccharides, Atractylodes polysaccharides, Fangfeng polysaccharides, Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharides, wolfberry polysaccharides, spiral Algae polysaccharide, Eucommia polysaccharide, Ligustrum lucidum polysaccharide, etc. all have the function of improving the body's immunity. Among fungal plant polysaccharides, Versicolor polysaccharide, Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide, Poria cocos polysaccharide, Tremella polysaccharide, and Lentinan have long been used in clinical applications and can enhance cellular immune function.
Anti-tumor effect of plant polysaccharides
Current research believes that plant polysaccharides mainly achieve the purpose of killing tumor cells by enhancing the body's immune function, that is, the anti-cancer effect is mediated by the host. It enhances the body's non-specific and specific immune effects rather than directly killing tumor cells. It is also obviously related to the effect of polysaccharides on cell biochemical metabolism, inhibition of tumor cell cycle and inhibition of SOD activity in tumor tissues. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide can enhance the function of the anti-cancer immune surveillance system; laminarin has a significant inhibitory effect on tumor-bearing H22 mice, with a tumor inhibition rate as high as 43.5%; Grifola frondosa polysaccharide can significantly inhibit tumor growth and enhance the immunity of mice. immune function. Other polysaccharides such as spirulina polysaccharide, Tremella polysaccharide, ginseng polysaccharide, lentinan, Polyporus polysaccharide, wolfberry polysaccharide, astragalus polysaccharide, Ganoderma polysaccharide, bamboo leaf polysaccharide, Enoki mushroom polysaccharide, and Cordyceps polysaccharide all have anti-tumor effects.
The hypoglycemic and blood lipid-lowering effects of plant polysaccharides
Under normal circumstances, the synthesis and decomposition of lipids in the human body maintain a dynamic balance. Once the balance is destroyed, the content of blood lipids will decrease. Increased levels will damage the arterial intima and lead to atherosclerosis, thereby inducing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Reducing blood lipid content is of great significance for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. It is reported that pumpkin polysaccharide has the effect of lowering blood sugar and blood lipids, and its effect on the prevention and treatment of diabetes has been confirmed. Animal experiments show that pumpkin polysaccharide is an ideal therapeutic agent that can improve lipid metabolism.
Black fungus polysaccharide can significantly reduce cholesterol in the blood of mice; laminarin can significantly reduce blood sugar and urea nitrogen in diabetic mice, and has a repair effect on pancreatic islet damage. Tremella polysaccharide, tea polysaccharide, and konjac polysaccharide can both lower blood sugar and blood lipids. In addition, there are guava polysaccharides, ginseng polysaccharides, aconitum polysaccharides, anemarrhena polysaccharides, atractylodes polysaccharides, coix seed polysaccharides, yam polysaccharides, ephedra polysaccharides, Acanthopanax polysaccharides, comfrey polysaccharides, and mulberry bark polysaccharides that have hypoglycemic effects. , rice root polysaccharide, rice bran polysaccharide, sugar cane polysaccharide, astragalus polysaccharide, Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide, nori polysaccharide, laminarin, Ophiopogon japonicus polysaccharide, Grifola Grifola polysaccharide, black fungus polysaccharide
Anti-radiation effect of plant polysaccharides
p>In real life, with the modernization of science and technology and people's lives, electronic appliances are becoming more and more common, and people are increasingly exposed to radiation, especially radiation therapy for tumor patients and occupational exposure personnel. Damage is increasingly being taken seriously. Animal experiments show that astragalus polysaccharides, ginseng polysaccharides, angelica polysaccharides, Bupleurum polysaccharides, Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides, wolfberry polysaccharides, Polygonatum polysaccharides, cordyceps polysaccharides, aloe polysaccharides, yellow mushroom polysaccharides, spirulina polysaccharides, Eleutherococcus polysaccharides, Versicolor versicolor polysaccharides, Fungus polysaccharide protects mice from radiation damage. In fact, polysaccharides, whether derived from plants, animals or microorganisms, have certain anti-radiation effects. The mechanism is generally believed to be that polysaccharides improve the body's tolerance to radiation by strengthening the hematopoietic system and activating phagocytes.
Antibacterial and antiviral effects of plant polysaccharides
A large number of studies have shown that many polysaccharides have inhibitory effects on bacteria and viruses, such as HIV, herpes simplex virus, influenza virus, and cystic gastritis Viruses etc. Experiments have shown that Ginkgo exopolysaccharides and Ginkgo leaf polysaccharides can significantly inhibit the swelling of mouse ears and increased capillary permeability caused by inflammatory agents, indicating that they have anti-inflammatory effects; purple-based polysaccharides can not only inhibit the growth of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, but Gram-positive bacteria also have inhibitory effects on Gram-negative bacteria such as Sarcina luteus. The antiviral mechanism of most polysaccharides is to inhibit the adsorption of viruses to cells. This may be related to the mechanical or chemical competition of polysaccharide macromolecules for the binding sites of viruses and cells. Therefore, taking advantage of the antibacterial effect of plant polysaccharides and using plant polysaccharides as an ingredient in food can not only prevent corrosion, but also add added value to the product. In China, there have been studies on the use of plant polysaccharides for anti-AIDS research, which to some extent points out a direction for the development of alternatives to traditional antiviral drugs that are expensive and have serious side effects.
Plant polysaccharides and anti-aging
In traditional Chinese medicine, the ancient prescriptions for anti-aging are basically based on plant medicines, and the ingredients with higher content are mostly sugars. Modern science has proposed the free radical theory of aging. Its basic point is: under normal circumstances, the production and disappearance of free radicals in the body are in a state of dynamic balance, that is, free radicals are constantly being produced and eliminated at the same time to maintain the body. Normal metabolism, but when the body ages, the amount of free radicals produced is relatively large, and the body's ability to scavenge free radicals is reduced. Excess free radicals attack the body's tissues, causing disorders and obstacles in the body's functions, leading to aging. symptoms. Studies have shown that citrus polysaccharides can affect the activity of free radicals, and the activity is related to the amount of polysaccharides. Cistanche deserticola polysaccharide can delay skin aging, increase collagen fiber content, improve skin elasticity, activate superoxide dismutase, and reduce the accumulation of lipofuscin in the body. Black fungus polysaccharide has the functions of scavenging superoxide anions, antioxidant and protecting mitochondria. The anti-aging effect of wolfberry polysaccharide is more prominent, and it promotes and regulates various physiological and biochemical functions of the body more comprehensively. In addition, the polysaccharides of Polygonum multiflorum, ginseng, astragalus, and Ligustrum lucidum all have anti-aging effects to a certain extent.
Hepatoprotective effects of plant polysaccharides
Studies have shown that Schisandra chinensis crude polysaccharides have hepatoprotective effects and can reduce liver damage in mice; wolfberry polysaccharides can reduce malondialdehyde in liver tissue content, these two polysaccharides can increase liver glycogen content, thereby increasing the body's energy reserves and helping to resist damage to the liver by harmful substances.
Other effects of plant polysaccharides
Black fungus polysaccharides and white fungus polysaccharides can significantly prolong the formation time of specific thrombus and fibrin plug, indicating that they have anti-thrombotic effects. Tea polysaccharides also have anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects. According to Japanese patent reports, Salvia polysaccharide isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza can inhibit the secretion of urinary protein and slow down the symptoms of liver and kidney diseases. It can be made into oral or intramuscular injection preparations to reduce the adverse effects caused by long-term use of steroids such as dipyridamole or platelet inhibitors. reaction.
2. Application prospects of plant polysaccharides
Plant polysaccharides have gradually been recognized for their wide range of biological activities. Plant polysaccharides participate in various physiological metabolisms of the body and have the functions of regulating the body's immunity, inhibiting tumors, It has biological activities such as delaying aging, lowering blood sugar and blood lipids, anti-radiation, antibacterial and antiviral. Its unique activity and natural origin have strong potential in ensuring human health. Through research on plant polysaccharides, people use clinical data of plant polysaccharides to study its health care effects.
With the in-depth research on the biological activity of polysaccharides, the biological activity mechanism and efficacy factors of polysaccharides will become clearer, and its application fields will also be broadened. However, due to the complex structure of polysaccharides and the wide variety of them, it is very difficult to determine their structure and separate and purify them; some polysaccharides have low content in natural plants and are difficult to separate, and the pharmacological effects of polysaccharides are related to many factors. Research on polysaccharides and applications bring many challenges. This requires people in related industries to respond together.
In recent years, with the continuous improvement of living standards, people's awareness of health care is gradually increasing. Polysaccharides have quietly emerged as the main component of health food. my country is rich in polysaccharide resources, especially plant polysaccharides derived from Chinese herbal medicines, which have a long history of application and have huge development prospects. Through research on the structure-activity and dose-effect relationships of polysaccharides, people will use my country's abundant polysaccharide resources to produce high value-added health foods with polysaccharides (or compound polysaccharides) as the main ingredients to improve people's physical fitness and enhance health. Health and improve quality of life.