Unveiling polysaccharides of Houttuynia cordata Thunb.: Extraction, purification, structure, bioactivities, and structure–activity relationships

Abstract

Background

Houttuynia cordata Thunb. is a plant valued for both its culinary and medicinal properties, utilized in the prevention and treatment of various ailments. Houttuynia cordata Thunb. polysaccharides (HCP) exhibit a range of biological activities, including antioxidant, immune modulation, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, maintenance of gut homeostasis, and antibacterial effects, rendering them significant for research in ethnopharmacology.

Purpose

This review consolidates recent advancements in the extraction, isolation, purification, structural characteristics, and biological activities of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. polysaccharides, while exploring the structure-activity relationships of HCP and the prospects for future research, thereby providing valuable insights for its drug development.

Methods

Relevant literature regarding the extraction, isolation, purification, structural analysis, and biological activities of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. polysaccharides was sourced from databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and CNKI.

Results

Houttuynia cordata Thunb. is a perennial herbaceous plant that thrives in shady, humid environments and exhibits a semi-prostrate growth form. As a traditional herb used for heat-clearing and detoxification, it is effective against various conditions, including cholera, dysentery, and hemorrhoids. Houttuynia cordata Thunb. polysaccharides are key active components that can be extracted through various methods, including water extraction, enzymatic extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, acid extraction, and alkali extraction. Structural analyses of the extracted and purified polysaccharides were conducted, focusing on their monosaccharide composition, molecular weight, and glycosidic bond structure. Additionally, pharmacological investigations reveal that Houttuynia cordata Thunb. polysaccharides possess a variety of biological activities, including antioxidant, immune modulation, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, maintenance of gut homeostasis, and antibacterial effects.

Conclusions

Research on HCP has established a solid foundation regarding its monosaccharide composition, molecular weight, and glycosidic linkages, with substantial documentation of its biological activities, including antioxidant, immune-regulating, and antiviral properties. However, investigations into the structural modification of HCP and the correlation between its structure and biological activity remain relatively underexplored. Additionally, the extraction yield of HCP is significantly affected by the choice of extraction and purification methods, highlighting the necessity for further optimization of extraction protocols.