Boschniakia rossica polysaccharides: extraction, structural features, experimental bioactivities, evidence limitations, and application prospects

Boschniakia rossica (Cham. and Schltdl.) B. Fedtsch. (BR) is a traditional medicinal plant that grows primarily in northeastern China. It is recognized as a representative traditional medicinal plant and has long been used in folk medicine for tonifying the kidney essence, relieving constipation, and strengthening the body. Boschniakia rossica polysaccharides (BRPs) are important bioactive components exhibiting multiple pharmacological activities. Existing studies indicate that BRPs are mainly obtained via solvent heat reflux extraction, ultrasonic-assisted, and ultrasonic-enzyme-assisted extraction. Structural features of the polysaccharide, such as the molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and glycosidic bond linkages, are markedly affected by different extraction and purification parameters. Reported experimental bioactivities of BRPs include antioxidant activity, immune regulation, tumor-cell growth-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects, inflammation modulation, and liver protection. Building on a review of previous work, this study takes a closer look at how the preparation methods, structural traits, reported biological effects, and application constraints are connected. That said, the studies currently available cover a mix of experimental types—chemical assays, cell-based tests, and animal trials—which differ markedly in both the strength of their evidence and their value for pharmacological interpretation. Moreover, the exact structure–activity relationships, direct molecular targets, receptor-mediated mechanisms, long-term safety, and clinical applicability of BRPs have yet to be firmly established. In the future, more research efforts will be directed at the standardization of preparation protocols, deep structural characterization, mechanism-driven functional exploration, and translational applications of these polysaccharides in natural drugs and functional foods.