Mechanisms of Skin Aging and the Interventional Effects of Plant Polysaccharides: A Review Based on Signaling Pathways

Abstract

Skin aging is a complex physiological process driven by both endogenous and exogenous factors, involving various mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and cellular senescence. As natural bioactive macromolecules, plant polysaccharides possess properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and free radical scavenging abilities, and have recently shown significant potential in anti-skin aging research. This article systematically reviews the molecular mechanisms of skin aging, with a focus on elucidating how plant polysaccharides exert anti-aging effects by regulating key signaling pathways. Additionally, it summarizes strategies for the extraction, purification, and structural modification of plant polysaccharides, as well as their structure–activity relationships. The aim is to provide a theoretical foundation and research directions for both fundamental studies and product development of plant polysaccharides in the field of anti-skin aging.