Since ancient times, the herbal plant, Plantago L. (Plantaginaceae) has been proposed to have medicinal and food benefits. Recent pharmacological and phytochemical studies have shown that polysaccharides derived from Plantago L. exert multiple medicinal and nutritional benefits, including immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic activities, antitumor, and gastrointestinal-protective effects. These health and pharmacological benefits are of great interest to the public, academia and biotechnology industries. This paper provides an overview of recent advances in the physiochemical, structural features and biological effects of polysaccharides derived from Plantago L. This comprehensive review also covers recent advances in the field and outlines future research and applications of these polysaccharides.
