Traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) plants are known to contain bioactive ingredients, including beneficial biopolysaccharides that may also serve as excipients in drug formulation and delivery. Some of these biopolysaccharides also exhibit a wide range of biological activities. Biopolysaccharides have also been used in the development of biopolysaccharide-iron complexes that are characterized by high iron content, low gastrointestinal irritation, and enhanced bioavailability, helping to overcome the limitations of conventional iron supplements. This review focuses on the unique properties of TCM plant-derived biopolysaccharides in addressing these limitations and highlights their bioavailability and therapeutic potential, including their roles in iron release and delivery, gastroprotective effects, blood sugar regulation, and antioxidant activity, as demonstrated in the in vitro and in vivo experiments and clinical trials. The adverse reactions, safety profiles, and structure–activity relationships of biopolysaccharide-iron complexes in antioxidant activities are also thoroughly discussed. Supplementation with these next-generation iron complexes may represent a promising strategy for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia and the promotion of overall human health and well-being.
Zhao et al. (Tue,) studied this question.