Extraction, purification, structural characteristics and biological properties of the polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula: A review

The root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, a well-known Chinese herbal medicine, has been used historically as a tonic, hematopoietic and anti-inflammatory agent for thousands of years. Modern phytochemistry and pharmacological experiments have proved that polysaccharide is one of the major active ingredients in A. sinensis. It has been demonstrated that A. sinensis polysaccharides had various important biological activities, such as hematopoiesis, immunomodulation, antitumor, antioxidant, radioprotection and hypoglycemic activity. The purpose of the present review is to summarize previous and current references regarding extraction and purification techniques as well as structural characterization and biological activities of A. sinensis polysaccharides.

Sea cucumbers, belonging to the class Holothuroidea, are marine invertebrates, habitually found in the benthic areas and deep seas across the world. They have high commercial value coupled with increasing global production and trade. Sea cucumbers, informally named as bêche-de-mer, or gamat, have long been used for food and folk medicine in the communities of Asia and Middle East. Nutritionally, sea cucumbers have an impressive profile of valuable nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (niacin), and minerals, especially calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. A number of unique biological and pharmacological activities including anti-angiogenic, anticancer, anticoagulant, anti-hypertension, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antithrombotic, antitumor and wound healing have been ascribed to various species of sea cucumbers. Therapeutic properties and medicinal benefits of sea cucumbers can be linked to the presence of a wide array of bioactives especially triterpene glycosides (saponins), chondroitin sulfates, glycosaminoglycan (GAGs), sulfated polysaccharides, sterols (glycosides and sulfates), phenolics, cerberosides, lectins, peptides, glycoprotein, glycosphingolipids and essential fatty acids. This review is mainly designed to cover the high-value components and bioactives as well as the multiple biological and therapeutic properties of sea cucumbers with regard to exploring their potential uses for functional foods and nutraceuticals.