Network pharmacology: β-glucans as modulators of biological networks

Authors

  • Juan José Romero Tovar Posgrado en Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas s/n, Querétaro, México. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7554-9732
  • Jorge Vargas-Almaraz Posgrado en Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. Cerro de las Campanas s/n, Querétaro, México. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7853-5238

Keywords:

Network pharmacology, β-glucans, nutraceutics

Abstract

β-Glucans are natural polysaccharides found in fungi, yeasts, and cereals, widely recognized as nutraceuticals for their ability to confer physiological benefits. These compounds exert immunomodulatory, metabolic, and anti-inflammatory effects through the simultaneous activation of multiple cellular receptors, modulation of the intestinal microbiota, and alteration of physicochemical processes within the gastrointestinal tract. From a network pharmacology perspective, β-glucans act as multi-target agents that reconfigure key biological nodes. This approach enables a clearer understanding of their preventive and adjuvant potential in various chronic diseases, as well as the challenges associated with their standardization as functional ingredients and clinical application.

Author Biographies

Juan José Romero Tovar, Posgrado en Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas s/n, Querétaro, México.

A Pharmaceutical Chemist and Biologist, he is a Master's student in Chemical-Biological Sciences at UAQ and teaches chemistry at the high school level. His research focuses on the search for new bioactive molecules in medicinal plants through metabolomic studies.

Jorge Vargas-Almaraz, Posgrado en Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. Cerro de las Campanas s/n, Querétaro, México.

Chemical Engineer specializing in Materials and Master's student in Food Science and Technology at UAQ. His research focuses on the use of plant proteins and polysaccharides to develop micro and nanoencapsulation systems with potential applications in the food and agricultural industries.

References

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Published

2026-05-16

How to Cite

Romero Tovar, J. J., & Vargas-Almaraz, J. (2026). Network pharmacology: β-glucans as modulators of biological networks. Revista De divulgación científica IBIO, 8(2), 323. Retrieved from https://revistaibio.com/ojs33/index.php/main/article/view/323

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Hot Science

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