Protective Effects of Herbal, Woody and Lianoid Plant Polysaccharides Against Diabetic Nephropathy: A Review
- 1Hubei Key Laboratory of Edible Wild Plants Conservation & Utilization, College of Life Sciences, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi 435002, China
- 2Hubei Engineering Research Center of Special Wild Vegetables Breeding and Comprehensive Utilization Technology, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi 435002, China
- 3Future Food and Agriculture Department, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing 314006, China
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most severe microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus and has become the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Natural plant polysaccharides are bioactive natural macromolecular compounds widely distributed in medicinal plants, fruits, vegetables and cereals. Owing to their multi-target effects and low toxicity, they have attracted considerable attention in the prevention and treatment of DN. Numerous studies have shown that plant polysaccharides may exert renal protective effects through various mechanisms, including antioxidative stress, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, podocyte protection, inhibition of advanced glycation end-product formation, and regulation of the gut microbiota. This paper systematically reviews recent research advances concerning plant polysaccharides for DN intervention, with an emphasis on their action mechanisms, and discusses the structure–activity relationships. However, there are still challenges facing the clinical translation of polysaccharides, including low bioavailability and difficulties in quality control. Future research should focus on the precise analysis of the advanced structure of polysaccharides, clarification of the mechanism of action based on the intestinal microecology, and the development of new delivery systems to promote the clinical application of plant polysaccharides in DN treatment.
Related
- Triple Renal Pathology in a Patient With Myeloperoxidase-Associated Vasculitis, Diabetic Nephropathy, and Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy: A Case Report
- Integrating multiple omics approaches to identify AIF1 as a protective factor in IgA nephropathy.
- Effects of liraglutide on blood pressure and renal function in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Integrative bioinformatics analysis of Lianmei granules in diabetic nephropathy : Epidemiological and molecular insights
- Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis revealing the coexistence of diabetic nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, and MPO-ANCA-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis.
BibTeX
@article{cai2026protective,
title = {{Protective Effects of Herbal, Woody and Lianoid Plant Polysaccharides Against Diabetic Nephropathy: A Review}},
author = {Wudan Cai and Shanshan Jin and Ziming Huang and Huan Liu and Qin Wu and Xiaoyue Xiao and Yongshu Li and Jianjun Hou and Xixia Liu and Mingcong Fan},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nu18203362},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3362},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Protective Effects of Herbal, Woody and Lianoid Plant Polysaccharides Against Diabetic Nephropathy: A Review
AU - Wudan Cai
AU - Shanshan Jin
AU - Ziming Huang
AU - Huan Liu
AU - Qin Wu
AU - Xiaoyue Xiao
AU - Yongshu Li
AU - Jianjun Hou
AU - Xixia Liu
AU - Mingcong Fan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Nutrients
DO - 10.3390/nu18203362
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3362
AB - Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most severe microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus and has become the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Natural plant polysaccharides are bioactive natural macromolecular compounds widely distributed in medicinal plants, fruits, vegetables and cereals. Owing to their multi-target effects and low toxicity, they have attracted considerable attention in the prevention and treatment of DN. Numerous studies have shown that plant polysaccharides may exert renal protective effects through various mechanisms, including antioxidative stress, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, podocyte protection, inhibition of advanced glycation end-product formation, and regulation of the gut microbiota. This paper systematically reviews recent research advances concerning plant polysaccharides for DN intervention, with an emphasis on their action mechanisms, and discusses the structure–activity relationships. However, there are still challenges facing the clinical translation of polysaccharides, including low bioavailability and difficulties in quality control. Future research should focus on the precise analysis of the advanced structure of polysaccharides, clarification of the mechanism of action based on the intestinal microecology, and the development of new delivery systems to promote the clinical application of plant polysaccharides in DN treatment.
SN - 2072-6643
ER -