Purification, Structure and Biological Activity of Pumpkin Polysaccharides: A Review
Xiaolong Ji, Baixiang Peng, Hehui Ding, Bingbing Cui, Hui Nie, Yizhe Yan
Abstract
The pumpkin has been used frequently as functional foods. Phytochemical and pharmacological investigations have shown that polysaccharides derived from pumpkins, have antioxidant, anti-tumor, immunoregulatory, hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective activities. This article reviewed the structural analysis, extraction/purification, pharmacological activities, and structure-activity relationships of pumpkin polysaccharides. Those pumpkin polysaccharides rich in uronic acid, with lower molecular weights tended to have increased biological effects, whereas (1→3) and (1→4)-Glcp glycosidic linkages in main chains were indispensable for hypoglycemic effects. This paper reviewed the production, investigation, and application of pumpkin polysaccharides in functional foods and therapeutic agents.