biostudies-literatureUnknown16Lin S<h4>Background</h4><i>Polygonatum cyrtonema</i> Hua is a traditional medicinal plant widely used for its anti-fatigue properties, with its polysaccharides (PCPs) believed to play a key role in these effects. Steaming, a necessary step before consumption, can alter the structure of PCPs. However, the impact of steaming-induced structural changes on their anti-fatigue activity remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate how different steaming durations affect the distribution, anti-fatigue activity, and modulation of gut microbiota by PCPs.<h4>Methods</h4><i>P. cyrtonema</i> rhizomes were steamed for 0, 4, 8, and 12 h, and the polysaccharides were extracted. <i>In vivo</i> distribution was evaluated by conjugating PCPs with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) for optical imaging. Anti-fFrontiers in pharmacology1721319https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12819684biostudies-literatureSteaming duration-dependent effects on the <i>in vivo</i> distribution, anti-fatigue activity, and gut microbiota modulation of <i>Polygonatum cyrtonema</i> Hua polysaccharides.PMC12819684Lin SHuang JWang YWu WCai XfalseSteaming duration-dependent effects on the <i>in vivo</i> distribution, anti-fatigue activity, and gut microbiota modulation of <i>Polygonatum cyrtonema</i> Hua polysaccharides.<h4>Background</h4><i>Polygonatum cyrtonema</i> Hua is a traditional medicinal plant widely used for its anti-fatigue properties, with its polysaccharides (PCPs) believed to play a key role in these effects. Steaming, a necessary step before consumption, can alter the structure of PCPs. However, the impact of steaming-induced structural changes on their anti-fatigue activity remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate how different steaming durations affect the distribution, anti-fatigue activity, and modulation of gut microbiota by PCPs.<h4>Methods</h4><i>P. cyrtonema</i> rhizomes were steamed for 0, 4, 8, and 12 h, and the polysaccharides were extracted. <i>In vivo</i> distribution was evaluated by conjugating PCPs with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) for optical imaging. Anti-f2025-01-01T00:00:00Z20252026-06-06T21:42:57.936Z2026-06-05T03:11:22.919ZS-EPMC128196844157372210.3389/fphar.2025.1721319