Protective Effects of Natural Polysaccharides on Intestinal Barrier Injury: A Review

Owing to their minimal side effects and effective protection from oxidative stress, inflammation, and malignant growth, natural polysaccharides (NPs) are a potential adjuvant therapy for several diseases caused by intestinal barrier injury (IBI). More studies are accumulating on the protective effects of NPs with respect to IBI, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, this review aims to represent current studies that investigate the protective effects of NPs on IBI by directly maintaining intestinal epithelial barrier integrity (inhibiting oxidative stress, regulating inflammatory cytokine expression, and increasing tight junction protein expression) and indirectly regulating intestinal immunity and microbiota. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying IBI development are briefly introduced, and the structure-activity relationships of polysaccharides with intestinal barrier protection effects are discussed. Potential developments and challenges associated with NPs exhibiting protective effects against IBI have also been highlighted to guide the application of NPs in the treatment of intestinal diseases caused by IBI.

Automated summary

This review examines the protective effects of natural polysaccharides (NPs) as adjuvant therapy for diseases caused by intestinal barrier injury (IBI). NPs are found to minimize oxidative stress, inflammation, and malignant growth, making them a potential treatment option for IBI-related diseases. The review discusses the potential mechanisms of NPs in directly maintaining intestinal barrier integrity and indirectly regulating intestinal immunity and microbiota. It also highlights the structure-activity relationships of polysaccharides and the potential challenges associated with using NPs in the treatment of IBI-induced intestinal diseases.