Rehmanniae Radix polysaccharides are one of active ingredients from prescriptions containing Rehmanniae Radix

which are widely applied in clinic. In order to provide reference for further studies and development of Rehmanniae Radix polysaccharides and prescriptions containing Rehmanniae Radix

the advances in the chemical and pharmacological effects of Rehmanniae Radix polysaccharides in the past two decades were summarized in an all-round way. Literatures on the chemical and pharmacological effects of Rehmanniae Radix polysaccharides from domestic and foreign databases

such as CNKI

Wanfang data

PubMed

SpringerLink and ScienceDirect

were collected

analyzed and summarized. So far

seven rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharides with relative molecular weight of 103-105 were isolated from Rehamanniae Radix

and composed of such monosaccharide as rhamnose

glucose

galactose

mannose

xylose and arabinose. According to the pharmacological study

Rehmanniae Radix polysaccharides showed a good anti-oxidation ability to normal and pathological animals and further anti-aging and anti-tumor activities

and can reduce the blood glucose and lipid levels through several ways

enhance the immunity function of normal and pathological animals by influencing immune organs

immune cells and cytokines

promote the hematopoietic function of normal and pathological animals

directly or indirectly prevent and resist tumors

protect adipose-derived stem cells and promote their proliferation. Through various ways

they can induce bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into neuron-like cells

which are very similar to normal neurons. They can also resist fatigue and anxiety. In the future

more studies shall be made on the chemical structure

toxicology

clinical pharmacology of Rehmanniae Radix polysaccharides

in order to define their mechanisms and lay a foundation for promoting their clinical application and safety.