The pumpkin has been used frequently as functional foods. Phytochemical and pharmacological investigations have shown that polysaccharides derived from pumpkins, have antioxidant, anti-tumor, immunoregulatory, hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective activities. This article reviewed the structural analysis, extraction/purification, pharmacological activities, and structure-activity relationships of pumpkin polysaccharides. Those pumpkin polysaccharides rich in uronic acid, with lower molecular weights tended to have increased biological effects, whereas (1 -> 3) and (1 -> 4)-Glcp glycosidic linkages in main chains were indispensable for hypoglycemic effects. This paper reviewed the production, investigation, and application of pumpkin polysaccharides in functional foods and therapeutic agents.
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