Selenium-Polysaccharide: Structural and Physical Characterization, Bioactivities and Application

ABSTRACT

Selenium-polysaccharide (Se-polysaccharide) is an organic Se compound that binds polysaccharides to Se via unique chemical interactions. Se-polysaccharide, as a functional supplement, has minimal harmful effects and is more easily absorbed and utilized by the body. Currently, there are three techniques to obtain Se-polysaccharide. Numerous studies have demonstrated that selenization modification can alter the structural and physical characterization of polysaccharide. Furthermore, Se-polysaccharide possesses stronger biological attributes, including immunomodulation, antitumor, antioxidant, hypoglycaemic, heavy metal resistance, neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory, liver protection, and other aspects, than Se and polysaccharide. Scientific studies suggest that Se-polysaccharide has the potential for future development and show that it is an effective treatment for several diseases. This paper systematically introduces the preparation methods of Se-polysaccharide, discusses the impact of selenization modification on the structural and physical characterization of polysaccharide, and analyses the biological activities and potential mechanism of Se-polysaccharides in recent years. Additionally, further research directions are proposed and provided theoretical basis for development of Se-polysaccharide.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Selenium-polysaccharide
• selenium
• structural characterization
• bioactivities
• structure-activity relationship

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Mengwei Chang: Conceptualization, Writing – original draft. Kunlun Liu: Writing – review & editing.

Ethical statements

This work did not include any human subjects and animal experiments.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [32172259], the Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province [212300410033], the Program for the Top Young Talents of Henan Associate for Science and Technology [2021], and the Innovative Funds Plan of Henan University of Technology [2021ZKCJ03].