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Review
. 2023 May 19;15(10):2373.
doi: 10.3390/polym15102373.

Polysaccharides-Naturally Occurring Immune Modulators

Emma J Murphy  1   2   3 , Gustavo Waltzer Fehrenbach  3   4 , Ismin Zainol Abidin  3   4 , Ciara Buckley  3   4 , Therese Montgomery  5 , Robert Pogue  6 , Patrick Murray  1   2 , Ian Major  3   4 , Emanuele Rezoagli  7   8
Affiliations
Review

Polysaccharides-Naturally Occurring Immune Modulators

Emma J Murphy et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

The prevention of disease and infection requires immune systems that operate effectively. This is accomplished by the elimination of infections and abnormal cells. Immune or biological therapy treats disease by either stimulating or inhibiting the immune system, dependent upon the circumstances. In plants, animals, and microbes, polysaccharides are abundant biomacromolecules. Due to the intricacy of their structure, polysaccharides may interact with and impact the immune response; hence, they play a crucial role in the treatment of several human illnesses. There is an urgent need for the identification of natural biomolecules that may prevent infection and treat chronic disease. This article addresses some of the naturally occurring polysaccharides of known therapeutic potential that have already been identified. This article also discusses extraction methods and immunological modulatory capabilities.

Keywords: immune modulation; inflammation; naturally occurring polymers; polysaccharides.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structures of naturally occurring polysaccharides.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Graphical representation of methods used for the extraction of xylan from corn stalk/wheat straw and beta-glucans from mushroom sources.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Graphical representation of methods used for the extraction of Fucoidan from kelp species and methods used for the extraction from brown seaweed.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Graphical representation of two extraction methods of glucomannan from orchid species.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Graphical representation of methods used for the extraction of hyaluronic acid from C. glutamicum cultures and rooster comb. Methods used for the extraction of chitosan from green tiger prawn shells and black solider flies.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Graphical representation of methods used for the extraction of alginate from brown seaweed and ulvan from white butterfly parasite and seaweed.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Graphical representation of methods used for the extraction of carrageenan from red seaweed.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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