Protective Effect of Brassica rapa Polysaccharide against Acute High-Altitude Hypoxia-Induced Brain Injury and Its Metabolomics

Polysaccharides from Brassica rapa root: Extraction, purification, structural features, and biological activities. A review

Brassica rapa (B. rapa) roots are attracting increased attention from nutritionists and health-conscious customers because of their remarkable performance in supplying necessary nutrients. Polysaccharides are major biologically active substances in B. rapa roots, which come in a variety of monosaccharides with different molar ratios and glycosidic bond types. Depending on the source, extraction, separation, and purification methods of B. rapa roots polysaccharides (BRP); different structural features, and pharmacological activities are elucidated. Polysaccharides from B. rapa roots possess a range of nutritional, biological, and health-enhancing characteristics, including anti-hypoxic, antifatigue, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, anti-tumor, and antioxidant activities. This paper reviewed extraction and purification methods, structural features, and biological activities as well as correlations between the structural and functional characteristics of polysaccharides from the B. rapa roots. Ultimately, this work will serve as useful reference for understanding the connections between polysaccharide structure and biological activity and developing novel BRP-based functional foods.

Polysaccharides derived from natural edible and medicinal sources as agents targeting exercise-induced fatigue: A review

Exercise-induced fatigue (EF) is a common occurrence during prolonged endurance and excessive exercise and is mainly caused by energy depletion, harmful metabolite accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation. EF usually leads to a reduction in initiating or maintaining spontaneous activities and muscle performance and ultimately results in a decrease in the quality of life of people who engage in physical work. Therefore, the interest in investigating EF-targeting agents with minimal side effects and good long-term efficacy has substantially increased. Natural edible and medicinal polysaccharides have shown positive anti-EF effects, but the relevant reviews are rare. This review comprehensively summarizes studies on natural polysaccharides from edible and medicinal sources that can relieve EF and improve physical performance from the past decade, focusing on their sources, monosaccharide compositions, anti-EF effects, and possible molecular mechanisms. Most of these anti-EF polysaccharides are heteropolysaccharides and are mainly composed of glucose, arabinose, galactose, rhamnose, xylose, and mannose. In EF animal models, the polysaccharides exert positive EF-alleviating effects through energy supply, metabolic regulation, antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and gut microbiota remodeling. However, further studies are still needed to clarify the anti-EF effects of these polysaccharides on human beings. In summary, the present review expects to provide scientific data for the future research and development of natural polysaccharide-based anti-EF drugs, dietary supplements, and health-care products for specific fatigue groups.