Songhuafen (Pini Pollen), a traditional medicinal and edible material, is rich in bioactive constituents such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, sterols, and unsaturated fatty acids. It may exert potential effects on diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, and diabetes-related chronic wounds by regulating glucolipid metabolism, insulin signaling, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, gut microbiota, and intestinal barrier function. Different processing methods markedly influence active component release and clinical applicability: wall-breaking improves the dissolution of internal hydrophilic and lipophilic components, fermentation treatment may alter the polyphenol and metabolite profiles through microbial transformation, sulfation can enhance the hypoglycemic and immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides, and supercritical CO₂ extraction is more suitable for enriching lipophilic fractions. Existing clinical evidence suggests potential auxiliary benefits in glucose-reducing, lipid regulation, and wound healing related to diabetic complications. However, most studies are limited by small sample sizes, insufficient randomization, blinding, dose standardization and long-term safety evaluation, and heterogeneity caused by differences in raw materials and preparation technologies. Future studies should clarify key quality markers, standardize processing technologies, establish material basis and relationships among components, exposure, and effects, and validate clinical efficacy and safety through rigorously designed, large-scale randomized controlled trials. These efforts promote the transition of Pini Pollen from empirical use to evidence-based and precision-oriented clinical application.

Pini Pollen  /  metabolic diseases  /  polysaccharides  /  gut microbiota  /  sugar and fat metabolism  /  oxidative stress  /  intestinal mucosal barrier