The concept of "Medicine and Food Homology" (MFH), where food is also a form of medicine, has been a cornerstone of Chinese culture for over 3,000 years. An ancient text, the Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine), clearly outlines this philosophy: "Grains for sustenance, fruits for support, meats for enhancement, and vegetables for fulfillment."
Today, this ancient wisdom is experiencing a modern renaissance. Driven by a global rise in health consciousness, supportive government policies, and a growing interest in wellness among younger generations, the MFH market is expanding rapidly. According to industry research, the market size of China's MFH industry was approximately 380 billion RMB in 2024 and is projected to reach 750 billion RMB by 2030. This immense potential is fueling demand for more precise, function-specific research into these traditional ingredients. Among the most exciting areas of study is the anti-aging potential of plant polysaccharides derived from these edible herbs.
Understanding the Mechanisms of Aging
Aging is a multifaceted physiological process that cannot be defined by a single cause. Consequently, anti-aging research often involves exploring multiple mechanisms.
In 1956, Dr. Denham Harman proposed the free radical theory of aging, suggesting that Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generated within cells are a primary driver of the aging process. The theory posits that as we age, the body's natural production of antioxidant enzymes declines, disrupting the balance and leading to an accumulation of ROS. This damages biological membranes, impairs normal cell function, and accelerates aging. This theory was later expanded to the mitochondrial free radical theory of aging, identifying oxidative damage to mitochondria as a root cause. Therefore, reducing ROS levels has become a key intervention strategy in longevity research.
In recent years, scientists have proposed complementary theories, exploring the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of aging, such as the role of the FasL/Fas signal in oocyte aging and the p53 signaling pathway in endothelial cell senescence.
Polysaccharides are a major active component in traditional herbal decoctions and are recognized as one of the key ingredients responsible for the anti-aging effects of many medicinal plants. These naturally occurring bioactive molecules, formed by long chains of monosaccharides, are widely found in plants, animals, and microbes. Their biological activity is closely linked to their molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and glycosidic bond structure. A growing body of research now demonstrates the significant anti-aging efficacy of these powerful compounds.
13 Anti-Aging Polysaccharides from Edible Plants
1. Polygonatum sibiricum Polysaccharides (Huang Jing)
The polysaccharides from Polygonatum sibiricum are a key bioactive component, with both raw and processed forms demonstrating anti-aging effects. In vitro studies show they possess strong antioxidant activity by effectively scavenging free radicals. In animal models, these polysaccharides significantly improved histopathological changes in mice under oxidative stress, reduced ROS production, and restored antioxidant enzyme activity. They have also been shown to increase the activity of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px) while decreasing Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in aging rat models. In C. elegans, they delay aging by reducing ROS and lipofuscin levels and increasing the nuclear translocation of DAF-16.
2. Cistanche deserticola Polysaccharides (Rou Cong Rong)
Cistanche deserticola is a traditional herb known for nourishing the kidneys. In vivo experiments have proven that its polysaccharides can improve the survival rate of aging mice, increase GSH-Px and total SOD (T-SOD) activity, and reduce MDA levels. They also improve gut microbiota homeostasis, increasing the level of beneficial bacteria. In vitro, they have been shown to exert anti-aging effects on aging dermal fibroblast cells by reducing ROS formation.
3. Angelica sinensis Polysaccharides (Dang Gui)
As a primary active component of Angelica sinensis, these polysaccharides have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-enhancing properties. Studies report that they can significantly extend the lifespan of elderly Drosophila (fruit flies), improve their physiological functions, and enhance their resistance to starvation and oxidative stress by inhibiting the insulin signaling (IIS) and TOR signaling pathways. They also inhibit vascular endothelial cell senescence by enhancing Akt/hTERT phosphorylation.
4. Astragalus Polysaccharides (Huang Qi)
Extracted from the stem or root of Astragalus, these water-soluble polysaccharides have well-documented anti-aging effects. Research shows they can alleviate degeneration of neurons, reduce oxidative stress levels, regulate the expression of senescence-associated β-galactosidase, and maintain telomere length in D-galactose-induced aging rats, thereby preventing cognitive impairment.
5. Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides (Goji Berry)
In vitro cell experiments indicate that Goji berry polysaccharides exert anti-aging activity by weakening SA-β-Gal activity, preventing cell cycle arrest, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, and regulating aging-related genes like Sirt1. They also protect human lens epithelial cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and can inhibit apoptosis and senescence in zebrafish embryos via a p53-mediated pathway.
(Image suggestion: A close-up shot of Goji berries or another identifiable herb from the list.)
6. Portulaca oleracea Polysaccharides (Ma Chi Xian)
Purslane polysaccharides have been shown to significantly improve learning and memory decline in D-galactose-induced aging mice. They enhance the thymus and spleen indices, increase SOD and GSH-Px activity, and reduce MDA content. Their mechanism is likely related to boosting endogenous antioxidant enzymes and reducing lipid peroxidation.
7. Lonicera japonica Polysaccharides (Honeysuckle)
Honeysuckle polysaccharides have been reported to extend the lifespan of C. elegans, enhance their motor and pharyngeal pumping abilities, reduce lipofuscin accumulation, and improve their resistance to oxidative and heat stress.
8. Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides (Reishi Mushroom)
Reishi polysaccharides can activate the expression of the longevity-related transcription factor DAF-16 in the IIS pathway through the MAPK pathway, thereby extending the lifespan of C. elegans.
9. Dimocarpus longan Polysaccharides (Longan Fruit)
At doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, longan fruit polysaccharides were reported to significantly increase the levels of CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px in the serum, liver, and brain tissues of D-galactose-induced aging mice, while also decreasing MDA content.
10. Dendrobium officinale Polysaccharides (Tie Pi Shi Hu)
Similar to Polygonatum sibiricum, polysaccharides from Dendrobium officinale can exert anti-aging effects by improving gut microbiota dysbiosis in D-galactose-induced aging mice.
11. Polygonatum odoratum Polysaccharides (Yu Zhu)
These polysaccharides significantly inhibit oxidative damage caused by D-galactose, enhance antioxidant enzyme activity, suppress the increase of MDA content, and are effective in alleviating aging and improving cognitive impairment.
12. Poria cocos Polysaccharides (Fu Ling)
Primary polysaccharides extracted from Poria cocos can significantly extend the lifespan of C. elegans, reduce lipofuscin production, and enhance resistance to UV and heat stress.
13. Mentha Polysaccharides (Mint)
A galactan isolated from mint demonstrated excellent anti-aging activity in a D-galactose aging mouse model by enhancing the activity of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px in the serum and liver, while reducing MDA activity.
Conclusion
With rapid advancements in molecular biology, nutritional science, and proteomics, the molecular mechanisms behind the anti-aging effects of polysaccharides from "Medicine and Food Homology" plants are being further elucidated. This research is not only validating ancient wisdom but is also accelerating the rapid development of the modern health and wellness industry, offering new, nature-based solutions for healthy aging.
References
Siu Kan Law, Dawn Ching Tung Au. (2025). A review of medicine and food homology on traditional Chinese medicine as functional food. Food & Medicine Homology. DOI: 10.26599/FMH.2026.9420091.
Wei Xu, Shuai Han, Mengzhen Huang, et al. (2022). Antiaging Effects of Dietary Polysaccharides: Advance and Mechanisms. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 362479.
Shaoyan Zheng, et al. (2020). Protective effect of Polygonatum sibiricum Polysaccharide on D-galactose-induced aging rats model. Scientific Reports. 2246.
Wei Wang, YingYang, Ting-ting Hou, et al. (2023). Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua Polysaccharides with Antiaging and Stress Resistance Efficacies in Caenorhabditis elegans. Journal of Food Biochemistry. 8829542.
Zhang, C. S., Li, B., Wang, L. Y., et al. (2021). Study on the anti-aging effect of Cistanche deserticola polysaccharide by improving the homeostasis of intestinal flora. China Journal of TCM and Pharmacy.
Kento Takaya, Toru Asou, Kazuo Kishi. (2023). Cistanche deserticola Polysaccharide Reduces Inflammation and Aging Phenotypes in the Dermal Fibroblasts through the Activation of the NRF2/HO-1 Pathway. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 24(21), 15704.
Tuo, W., Wang, S., Shi, Y., et al. (2023). Angelica sinensis polysaccharide extends lifespan and ameliorates aging-related diseases via insulin and TOR signaling pathways, and antioxidant ability in Drosophila. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 241: 124639.
Jin Tian, Ran Huo, Yixuan Wang, et al. (2025). Astragalus Polysaccharide Alleviates Cognitive Decline in D-Galactose-Induced Aging. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 48, 523-536.