An overview of the advantageous effects and underlying mechanisms of natural polysaccharides in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Globally, the incidence and prevalence of IBD are rising. Although various clinical treatments are available, traditional therapies often come with limitations and side effects. Recently, natural polysaccharides have attracted significant research interest due to their promising therapeutic effects and potential for use in functional foods and health products. This review aims to summarize the pathophysiology of IBD and the anti-IBD mechanisms of natural polysaccharides, including their roles in restoring immune homeostasis and intestinal barrier function, regulating gut microbiota and metabolites, mitigating oxidative stress, and addressing dysregulation in autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Additionally, the review discusses the structure-activity relationship of polysaccharides with anti-IBD effects and polysaccharide products with therapeutic potential. Information on pharmacokinetics, safety assessments, and clinical applications of these polysaccharides is also included. Overall, this review provides a theoretical basis for the development of natural polysaccharide-based therapies for effective IBD management.