Progress on the Extraction, Structure Characterization and Bioactivity of Schisandra chinensis Polysaccharides

Schisandra chinensis refers to the dried mature fruit of the plant Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill from the Magnoliaceae family, or Schisandra sphenanchera Rehd. etWils. It is rich in various active components such as polysaccharides, lignans, volatile oils, and polyphenols. Polysaccharides, as its main active ingredients, are extracted by biphasic extraction, enzymatic method, ultrasonic method, microwave method, ultrasonic-microwave synergy, microwave-enzymatic synergy, and aqueous extraction, among which biphasic extraction has the highest efficiency, and ultrasonic and aqueous extraction are the most widely used methods. Schisandra chinensis polysaccharides are mainly composed of rhamnose, mannose, glucose, galactose, arabinose and galacturonic acid, and the average molecular weight roughly ranges from 10³~10⁵ Da. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Schisandra chinensis polysaccharides have significant antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering efficacy, and they are of significant significance for the development of high-value in the field of food and medicine. Therefore, this paper systematically summarizes the extraction process, structural characteristics and biological activities of Schisandra chinensis polysaccharides and their related mechanisms at home and abroad in recent years, and looks forward to its research direction and application prospects, with a view to providing reference for the in-depth research and application development of Schisandra chinensis.