Applications of Structural Saccharides in Disease Therapy

Structural sugars are a class of natural or modified carbohydrates with wide sources and diverse structures, mainly including polysaccharides, glycosides, glycoconjugates, and glycomimetics. Their biological activities are often Under the influence of factors including molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and glycosidic linkage patterns. In recent years, with the advancement of glycobiology, the therapeutic potential of these compounds against various diseases has been gradually explored. This paper reviews the applications of structural sugars in the medical field, summarizes their major types and physicochemical properties, and discusses their mechanisms of action in disease intervention. Furthermore, the research progress in the treatment of tumors, inflammatory diseases and other disorders is analyzed with typical examples. The current technical bottlenecks and challenges in related studies are also addressed, and the future design strategies and translational directions of structural sugar-based drugs are prospected. This review aims to provide a reference for further investigations and clinical applications.