Acanthopanax Senticosus Polysaccharides: From Extraction, Purification, Structural Properties, Bioactivities to Pharmaceutical and Edible Applications

Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms (A. senticosus) is a traditional herb widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to enhance physical strength, boost immunity, and alleviate fatigue. A. senticosus polysaccharides (ASPs) have gained widespread attention in medicine and the food industry. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent progress of ASPs in the context of extraction, purification, structural characterization, biological activities, structure-activity relationships, potential applications, and future prospects. ASPs are intricate heteropolysaccharides mainly composed of glucose, galactose, mannose, arabinose, and galacturonic acid. Moreover, ASPs exhibit diverse bioactivities (antioxidation, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic), which are directly linked to their chemical structures, highlighting the key roles of structural diversity in governing the bioactivities. In addition, the immunomodulatory and anti-fatigue activities match their traditional uses, while antitumor, neuroprotective and hypoglycemic effects expand their potent applications in developing functional foods. This present review would provide a robust theoretical basis for further elucidation of the mechanisms of ASPs, thereby fostering their potential applications in food industry.