title: The Antioxidant Activities of Natural Polysaccharides.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The natural polysaccharides contain plant polysaccharides, animal polysaccharides and microbial polysaccharides. They are a kind of biological macromolecules with immune regulation, anti-tumor, anti-radiation, anti-inflammation, anti-fatigue and anti-aging effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  These effects are related to their antioxidant properties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The action mechanisms of antioxidation and scavenging free radicals for natural polysaccharides were reviewed. The recent research progresses and our work on antioxidant properties of polysaccharides and their derivatives were summarized. At last, the existing problems of antioxidant polysaccharides were analyzed, and the development prospects were also presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to study the antioxidant activities of polysaccharides and their derivatives for the development of natural antioxidants.
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331. China.
authors.forename: Gangliang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331. China.
authors.forename: Xinya
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331. China.
authors.forename: Jinchuan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D001688:Biological Products / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001688:Biological Products; D011134:Polysaccharides
keywords: Polysaccharides; antioxidation; derivatives; mechanism of action; research progresses