Structure-function relationships of edible and medicinal mushroom polysaccharides: Structural analysis, target molecules and signaling pathways

Edible and medicinal mushrooms have attracted attention for their abundant resources, distinctive flavors, and health-enhancing properties. Polysaccharides are the most abundant and widely studied macromolecules in these mushrooms. They exhibit various bioactivities, including immunostimulation, antioxidant, antitumor, hypoglycemic, and lipid metabolism regulation. Edible and medicinal mushroom polysaccharides (EMMPs), as naturally derived “biological response modifiers”, are essential for maintaining host health owing to their unique chemical structures and diverse biological functions. However, current structural analysis techniques still face challenges in characterizing the highly heterogeneous polysaccharides. Meanwhile, the multi-target and multi-pathway interaction effects between polysaccharides and organisms remain incompletely elucidated, which severely restricts the development and application of EMMPs. In light of these challenges, this paper reviews the latest advances concerning the structural features and bioactivities of EMMPs. The structure-function relationships of EMMPs are elucidated through synthesizing structural analysis strategies and integrating target molecules and signaling pathways related to health benefits. This provides a scientific basis for establishing structure-guided bioactivity modulation strategies and lays a theoretical foundation for the development of functional factors derived from EMMPs and the intervention of precise nutrition.