Cynomorium songaricum polysaccharides: A comprehensive review on extraction, purification, structure analysis and biological activity.

Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. is a widely utilized nourishing traditional Chinese medicine with dual medicinal and edible functions. It is well-known for its effects in tonifying kidney and yang, moistening the intestines, promoting bowel movements, and nourishing essence and blood, and has long been used in the medicinal practices of various ethnic minorities in China. C. songaricum polysaccharides (CSPs), as one of the primary active components of C. songaricum, possess a broad spectrum of bioactivities, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, anti-aging, antitumor, anti-osteoporosis, anti-fatigue, and anti-gastric ulcer effects. However, current understanding of the structural features, pharmacological mechanisms, and structure-activity relationships (SARs) of CSPs remains limited, with many key scientific issues yet to be clarified. This study systematically reviews domestic and international research progress on CSPs, covering extraction and purification technologies, structural characteristics, functional activities, SARs, and application prospects. We also highlighted and summarized the diversity of chemical composition and fine structure, specificity of biological activity, and structure-activity relationships (SARs) of CSPs. The challenges and opportunities of CSPs in the food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical material fields are discussed, and their potential development and future research directions are scrutinized. This article provides solid scientific underpinnings for further research and application of CSPs as therapeutic agents and multifunctional biomaterials.