The Effect of Polysaccharides of Polygonatum Polysaccharides on Memory Impairment in Elderly People

With the aging of the population, the incidence of memory disorders diseases in the elderly has climbed significantly, and the prevalence rate of people over 60 years old reaches 13%-42%. As the core active ingredient of Polygonatum polysaccharides (PPs), the polysaccharides of PPs have become a research hotspot because of their multi-target neuroprotective effects. Studies have shown that it improves memory function by enhancing hippocampal synaptic plasticity, inhibiting -amyloid deposition, repairing neuronal damage, and regulating cerebral blood flow and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses. However, there are still gaps in current studies such as the lack of clinical data and the unknown conformational relationship of polysaccharides. This paper systematically reviewed the mechanism of action of polysaccharides from PPs on memory disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, chronic cerebral ischemia, and vascular dementia (VD), and found that they can significantly enhance the efficiency of neurotransmitter delivery, reduce neuronal damage in chronic cerebral ischemia, and correct the abnormalities of blood rheology in VD, which can synergistically improve the cognitive function. The results provide an experimental basis for the development of functional foods and drugs to improve memory disorders. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen human clinical trials, deeply analyse the structure-activity relationship of polysaccharides, and expand their application in medicinal food products, so as to provide a new strategy for the health management of the aging society.