The Influence of Monosaccharide Composition on the Bioactivity of Medicinal Plant Polysaccharides

This review examines the relationship between the monosaccharide composition of polysaccharides from 72 medicinal plants and their biological activities, categorizing 210 polysaccharides into 10 types. It finds that specific monosaccharides contribute to various bioactivities: glucans and galactans are linked to immunomodulation and antioxidant effects; mannans are associated with antitumor activity and neuroprotection; fructans are important for gut microbiota regulation; and pectins show notable hypoglycaemic properties. The review highlights the potential of developing polysaccharides with high biological activity based on their monosaccharide composition, emphasizing the need for further research into the structure-activity relationship to enhance their bioactivity.