Extraction and purification, structural characteristics, pharmacological activities, structure-activity relationships, applications, and quality assessments of Prunella vulgaris L. polysaccharides: A review

Abstract

Prunella vulgaris L. (P. vulgaris) is a representative natural medicinal plant in the Prunella L. genus of the Lamiaceae family, widely distributed around the world. It has high value in both medicinal and edible aspects. As a highly representative class of macromolecular substances in P. vulgaris, polysaccharides from P. vulgaris have been extensively studied. P. vulgaris polysaccharides have various pharmacological activities, including anti-HSV, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-complement, anti-hyperplasia, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory. It is meaningful and necessary to review it to enable better research and application. This article integrates the research results on the extraction and purification, structure, pharmacological activities, structure-activity relationships, applications, and quality assessments of polysaccharides from P. vulgaris over the past 25 years. We look forward to promoting the research and application of polysaccharides from P. vulgaris while providing references for developing polysaccharides from other traditional natural medicinal plants.

Keywords: Applications; Pharmacological activities; Polysaccharides; Prunella vulgaris L.; Structure-activity relationships.