title: Therapeutic spectrum of nondigestible oligosaccharides: overview of current state and prospect.
abstract: Functional oligosaccharides have emerged as valuable components of food and dietary supplements. Their resistance to digestion and fermentation by colonic microbes has given them the nutritional edge. Apart from implications as dietary fibers, sweeteners, and humectants, they are hailed as prebiotics. Their beneficial effects extend from antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiallergic, hypotensive, hyperlipemic, neuroprotective to anticancer. The rising popularity of bioactive oligosaccharides has accelerated the search for their generation from new, sustainable sources. The surfacing crucial role in healthcare and unprecedented demand necessitates deeper investigation. The present review embodies an overview on various aspects of production, properties with emphasis on therapeutic applications of functional oligosaccharides. The biological efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of oligosaccharides have also been discussed.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biotechnology, Indian Inst. of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781 039, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Damini
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kothari
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goyal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D004032:Diet; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004063:Digestion / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005285:Fermentation; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D056692:Prebiotics / Q000032:analysis*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D056692:Prebiotics
keywords: colon microbiota; functional food; oligosaccharides; prebiotics; probiotics