Abstract: The gastrointestinal tract is the largest organ in the human body that communicates with the outside world. It has the functions of digesting food and transporting and absorbing nutrients. The gastrointestinal mucosal barrier secures gastrointestinal function through physical, chemical, biological, and immunologic barriers, and its damage can lead to chronic inflammation or acute and chronic diseases. Polysaccharides are one of the major bioactive substances in edible and medicinal mushroom and can be used as an auxiliary treatment for a variety of gastrointestinal diseases. This article reviews the roles of polysaccharides from edible and medicinal mushroom in regulating gastric health such as eliminating gastric Helicobacter pylori, protecting against gastric mucosal damage and gastric ulcer, and fighting against gastric cancer, summarizes the roles of polysaccharides from edible and medicinal mushroom in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and regulating the intestinal microbiota, alleviating inflammatory bowel disease and inhibiting colon cancer, and analyzes the regulatory mechanisms of polysaccharides from edible and medicinal mushroom on gastrointestinal function. We expect that this review will provide a reference for in-depth research on the promoting effect and mechanism of polysaccharides from edible and medicinal mushroom on gastrointestinal health.

Key words: edible and medicinal mushroom; polysaccharide; gastrointestinal function; gastrointestinal mucosal barrier