Polysaccharides from Medicinal Plants: Bridging Ancestral Knowledge with Contemporary Science

Author(s)

Pedrosa, Lucas de Freitas ; Fabi, Joao Paulo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLANTS-BASEL; v. 13, n. 13, p. 21-pg., 2024-07-01.

Abstract

Plants are a core part of cultural identity, as part of a diet, decorations, ceremonies, or as medicinal agents. Empirical knowledge regarding plants and their healing potential has existed worldwide for centuries. With the advance of science and technology, not only is the refinement of such sources or isolation of specific compounds possible, but these compounds can also be characterized based on their natural occurrence. Besides their importance for plant metabolism and structure, polysaccharides have been demonstrated to have substantial positive human health impacts on inflammation, metabolism, oxidative stress, and others. As an inherent part of plant cell walls, many polysaccharides from medicinal herbs, such as fructans, glucans, and pectins, have been extracted and analyzed for their structure and function. However, a review summarizing a significant portion of these studies was still unavailable. This review helps to fill the knowledge gap between polysaccharide bioactivity, their structure, and their plant matrix sources, focusing on historical medicinal usage. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/12253-0 - In vitro study of human intestinal integrity and TLR modulation after modified passion fruit pectin treatment
• Grantee: Lucas de Freitas Pedrosa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 20/08063-5 - Study of the biological effects of modified passion fruit pectins using in vitro and in vivo models of Colon Carcinogenesis
• Grantee: Lucas de Freitas Pedrosa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 22/12834-2 - Effects of modified pectins on gut health: pre-clinical and clinical studies to assess cellular, transcriptional, and epigenetic effects
• Grantee: Joao Paulo Fabi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/07914-8 - FoRC - Food Research Center
• Grantee: Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC