Extraction, purification, structure, bioactivities, and industrial applications of Scutellaria baicalensis polysaccharides: A review

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Lamiaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant. Its root, officially documented as Radix Scutellariae in the Chinese, European, and British Pharmacopoeias, contains diverse bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids. Notably, Scutellaria baicalensis polysaccharides (SBP), as bioactive macromolecules, have garnered increasing research interest due to their multifaceted biological activities, such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective effects. To advance a systematic understanding of SBP, this review comprehensively examines their extraction methods, purification processes, structural characteristics, structural modifications, biological functions, and industrial applications. Current evidence indicates that the choice of extraction and purification techniques significantly influences SBP yield, monosaccharide composition, molar ratios, and molecular weight. Furthermore, SBP with distinct structures can act against the same pathology through different mechanisms. Beyond their pharmacological potential, SBP exhibit properties like biocatalytic solubility, carrier functionality, and emulsification, highlighting their application prospects in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and food science. By consolidating current knowledge on SBP, this review aims to provide a scientific foundation for their further development and utilization in related fields.