A review of polysaccharides from Schisandra chinensis and Schisandra sphenanthera: Properties, functions and applications

Schisandra is an herbal plant resource with dual functions in medicine and food since ancient times. It has a variety of healthcare and therapeutic effects. Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill and Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wits are two of the most commonly used Schisandra. Traditional Chinese medicine experience has shown that water-soluble polysaccharide from Schisandra may be one of its main components with pharmacological effects. Progress in the industrial production and extraction process of plant polysaccharides, especially Chinese medicine polysaccharides in the past three decades, have led to many new discoveries about Schisandra polysaccharides in the fields of purification and identification. Their health benefits and pharmacological value have increased the interest of the public and academia. This review summarizes the physicochemical properties and biological functions of polysaccharides from two Schisandra fruits, and the application prospects of these bioactive macromolecules in future daily life and medicine.