Polygonatum sibiricum Red. and its polysaccharides in cognitive improvement: Pharmacological mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Cognitive impairment is a growing public health concern associated with aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and chronic stress. Polygonatum sibiricum Red. (P. sibiricum, Huang Jing), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, is used to reinforce qi, strengthen the spleen, and nourish yin. Recent studies have suggested that P. sibiricum polysaccharides (PSP), its major bioactive constituents, exert neuroprotective effects through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, modulation of the gut–brain axis, and improvement of synaptic plasticity. This review summarizes recent advances in the pharmacological activities of P. sibiricum and PSP related to cognitive improvement, highlights findings from behavioral, cellular, and molecular studies, and examines the clinical evidence supporting their therapeutic potential. Understanding the mechanism of action of P. sibiricum offers new insights into its potential development as a functional food or complementary therapeutic agent for cognitive decline.