Ferulic acid (FA), a hydroxycinnamic acid derivative, is a key bioactive component in traditional medicinal plants including Angelica sinensis and Asafoetida. Accumulating evidence supports its therapeutic efficacy in inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ulcerative colitis (UC). FA exerts anti-inflammatory effects through (1) the regulation of inflammatory cytokine levels; (2) modulation of signaling pathways such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT); (3) amelioration of oxidative stress; and (4) regulation of immune cell homeostasis. At the pharmacokinetic level, studies show that FA is rapidly absorbed but exhibits low bioavailability, mainly due to the influence of metabolic pathways and food matrix characteristics. This review systematically summarizes the literature on the anti-inflammatory effects of FA, covering molecular mechanisms, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and application scenarios. Preclinical studies show that FA has low toxicity and good safety, demonstrating potential for development as a novel anti-inflammatory drug. However, its clinical translation is hindered by bottlenecks such as low bioavailability and insufficient human clinical data. Future research should prioritize developing novel drug delivery systems and conducting large-scale clinical trials to facilitate its clinical translation.

Astragali radix (AR) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine derived from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus and A. mongholicus. AR exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as cardioprotective, hypoglycemic, antitumor, antiviral, and multi-organ restorative effects. Nearly 400 bioactive compounds have been identified in AR by phytochemical investigations, with astragalus polysaccharides (APS), astragalosides (I–IV), formononetin (FMN), and calycosin (CA) established as principal bioactive constituents. These components exhibit multifunctional mechanisms encompassing antioxidative stress, apoptotic suppression, autophagy regulation, anti-inflammation, and immune regulation, thereby exerting significant protective effects on critical organ systems such as the cardiovascular, renal, neural, hepatic, gastrointestinal, and immune systems. This review synthesized research over the past three decades, elucidating the organ protective mechanisms of AR through phytochemical profiling. Key findings demonstrated that FMN-mediated Nrf2 pathway activation could attenuate reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, while astragaloside IV (AS-IV) could suppress endoplasmic reticulum stress by inactivating the PERK/ATF6/CHOP axis to ameliorate apoptosis. Additionally, comprehensive safety assessment and pharmacokinetic analysis also substantiated favorable bioavailability and toxicological profiles. To sum up, these findings provide a comprehensive theoretical basis and offer innovative strategies for preventing and treating complex diseases associated with multi-organ dysfunction, thereby facilitating future clinical applications.

Extensive research has been conducted on plant-derived polysaccharides, yet three interrelated challenges remain insufficiently explored: extraction methods are often selected without systematic validation; the structure–activity relationship (SAR) remains fragmented; and modification strategies are rarely designed on the basis of SAR knowledge. This article systematically summarizes three key aspects: extraction, SAR, and structural modification. We critically compare various extraction techniques and clarify that method selection requires consideration of source characteristics and application orientation. We also demonstrate that extraction conditions may affect structural integrity and, consequently, influence biological activity. Subsequently, we analyze SAR by examining molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, glycosidic linkages, uronic acid content, and chain conformation to identify structural determinants of biological functions. Finally, we review chemical modification strategies and illustrate how their efficacy depends on structural features initially determined by extraction. By integrating evidence from these three stages, this review offers a practical framework to support rational, evidence-based development of plant-derived polysaccharides for applications in medicine, food, and biomaterials.