Natural Polysaccharides: Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis

Dear Colleagues,

Although their ubiquitous role in biological processes, polysaccharides are still the "sleeping giant" of research in herbal medicine. In last decade, technological advances in glycobiology and glycochemistry are paving the way for a new era in developing sweet solutions to sticky situations. In order to present the developments in polysaccharide-related research in herbal medicine, a special issue, Polysaccharides: Organic Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, including those from Medicinal Plants and Fungi, of Molecules was published in 2008.

This year (2011), a same topic, Natural Polysaccharides: Chemistry, Bioactivity and Analysis, will be published under Molecules aims to present the latest developments in polysaccharide-related research, including structure, properties, modification, analysis and application of polysaccharides from natural resources such as medicinal plants, microorganisms and mushrooms. This work will improve the multidisciplinary expertise from industry, academia and research institutions to communicate their knowledge in polysaccharide science and to exchange information on basic and applied research for the development of innovative products composed and derived of polysaccharides.

Contributions for this issue, both in form of original research and review articles, may cover all aspects of polysaccharides science from natural resources, chemistry, bioactivity and analysis, e.g. isolation, purification and characterization of polysaccharides from natural materials, development of new protocols and methods based on chemical or biological systems for the evaluation of in vivo and in vitro biological activities of polysaccharides; pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of polysaccharides; qualitative and quantitative analysis of polysaccharides; innovative techniques and protocols for the extraction, isolation, structural characterization of polysaccharides will be welcomed.

Prof. Dr. Shao-ping Li
Guest Editor