Gastrodia elata Blume (G. elata) is a valuable Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with a wide range of clinical applications. G. elata polysaccharides, as one of the main active ingredients of G. elata, have interesting extraction, purification, qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, derivatization, and pharmacological activity aspects, yet a review of G. elata polysaccharides has not yet been published. Based on this, this article summarizes the progress of G. elata polysaccharides in terms of the above aspects to provide a basis for their further research and development.

A novel homogeneous polysaccharide named GEP-1 was isolated and purified from Gastrodia elata (G. elata) by hot-water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and membrane separator. GEP-1, which has a molecular weight of 20.1 kDa, contains a polysaccharide framework comprised of only glucose. Methylation and NMR analysis showed that GEP-1 contained 1,3,6-linked-α-Glcp, 1,4-linked-α-Glcp, 1,4-linked-β-Glcp and 1,4,6-linked-α-Glcp. Interestingly, GEP-1 contained citric acid and repeating p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol as one branch. Furthermore, a bioactivity test showed that GEP-1 could significantly promote the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (L.paracasei) strains. These results implied that GEP-1 might be useful for human by modulating gut microbiota.

A facile and efficient method for the synthesis of alkynones by a Pd-catalyzed carbonylative Sonogashira coupling reaction starting from aryl iodide, terminal alkyne and chloroform (CHCl₃) as the CO source is described.

A series of 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)isoindolin-1-one derivatives were synthesized by the three-component reaction of a phthalaldehydic acid, primary amine, and 1H-indole in water under catalyst-free conditions. The reaction presented here has several advantages, such as clean, one-pot, and easy handling. The environmentally-friendly features make this procedure a sustainable method for the synthesis of 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)isoindolin-1-ones.