Preparation, structural characterization, bioactivities of polysaccharides from medicine food homology <i>Morinda officinalis</i> : A review

Morinda officinalis
is regarded as the leader of top ten southern medicines in China, which is a vine plant belongs to the family of Rubiaceae. The roots of this plant have been used as a valuable healthy functional food and herbal medicine in Chinese medicine since ancient time. Polysaccharides are one of the active components from
M. officinalis
, which have been proved by modern phytochemistry and pharmacological experiments together with clinical tests. A number of novel
M. officinalis
polysaccharides (MOPs) with fascinating structural characteristics and significant biological activities have been elucidated, answering for the traditional and modern health bioeffects of
M. officinalis
with anti-osteoporotic, immunology-regulation, antifatigue, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative activities. The present review is aimed to provide a systematic perspective on the polysaccharides of
M. officinalis
by summarizing the modern extraction and purification methods, structural features, biological activities, the structure-activity relationship, potential molecular mechanisms, applications for food and medicine developments, as well as the industrial limitations. This review provides systematic research advances and current developing prospects on MOPs with the aim to facilitate their better understanding. It will give valuable insights for further development and promotion of polysaccharides for functionally heathy foods and therapeutically effective medicines related to
M. officinalis.