Research progress on extraction, separation, structure, and biological activities of polysaccharides from the genus Atractylodes: A review

Plants of the genus Atractylodes are perennial herbaceous plants in the family Asteraceae, whose rhizome is often used in the production of medicines and health products. There are 6 main species in this genus, namely A. macrocephala, A. lancea, A. chinensis, A. carlinoides, A. koreana and A. japonica. Among them, A. lancea and A. macrocephala are the most extensively investigated. Polysaccharides as the main active ingredients extracted and isolated from plants in this genus, show good pharmacological activities in vivo and in vitro, such as immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic and intestinal protective activities. The pharmacological activities of polysaccharides are closely related to their extraction methods and physicochemical properties. This article discusses the extraction and separation methods, molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, chemical structure characteristics and pharmacological activities of polysaccharides from the genus Atractylodes. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the relationship of monosaccharide composition, relative molecular weight and structural modifications with the pharmacological activities of polysaccharides of the genus Atractylodes was carried out, which provided a reference for the development and utility of polysaccharides.