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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.
Highlights
Pumpkin has been applied in traditional medication.
Pumpkin polysaccharide is one of abundant groups and bioactive components.
Isolation, structure and bioactivities of pumpkin polysaccharide are highlighted.
The exact structure and structure-bioactivity relationship need to be investigated.
Acknowledgments
This research was financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province (212300410297), Basic Research Plan of Higher Education School Key Scientific Research Project of Henan Province (21A550014), Doctoral Research Foundation of Zhengzhou University of Light Industry (2020BSJJ015), Program for Science and Technology Innovation Talents in Universities of Henan Province (20HASTIT037), Youth Talents Project of Henan Province (2020HYTP046), the Higher Education School Young Backbone Teacher Training Program of Henan Province (2018GGJS093), High Level Innovation Teams of Guangxi Colleges & Universities/Outstanding Scholars Program (Guijiaoren [2018]35), Hezhou innovation-driven development project (He Ke Chuang PT1907006) and National Key R&D Progrom of China (2018YFD0901003) Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi, China (2020GXNSFBA297083).
Disclosure statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.