LBP-4a improves insulin resistance via translocation and activation of GLUT4 in OLETF rats

The Medicinal Species of the Lycium Genus (Goji Berries) in East Asia: A Review of Its Effect on Cell Signal Transduction Pathways

Natural plants contain numerous chemical compounds that are beneficial to human health. The berries from the Lycium genus are widely consumed and are highly nutritious. Moreover, their chemical constituents have attracted attention for their health-promoting properties. In East Asia, there are three varieties of the Lycium genus (Lycium barbarum L., Lycium chinense Miller, and L. ruthenicum Murray) that possess medicinal value and are commonly used for treating chronic diseases and improving metabolic disorders. These varieties are locally referred to as "red Goji berries" or "black Goji berries" due to their distinct colors, and they differ in their chemical compositions, primarily in terms of carotenoid and anthocyanin content. The pharmacological functions of these berries include anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-exercise fatigue effects. This review aims to analyze previous and recent studies on the active ingredients and pharmacological activities of these Lycium varieties, elucidating their signaling pathways and assessing their impact on the gut microbiota. Furthermore, the potential prospects for using these active ingredients in the treatment of COVID-19 are evaluated. This review explores the potential targets of these Lycium varieties in the treatment of relevant diseases, highlighting their potential value in drug development.

Advances in dietary polysaccharides as hypoglycemic agents: mechanisms, structural characteristics, and innovative applications

Polysaccharides, widely found in various food sources, have gained interest due to their diverse biological activities. This review critically analyzes current research on anti-diabetic polysaccharides, examining their hypoglycemic properties, signaling mechanisms, and relationships between hypoglycemic activity and structural characteristics. It also explores emerging applications of polysaccharides in hyperglycemia and diabetes treatment. Key findings show that polysaccharides' hypoglycemic mechanisms mainly involve repairing islet β-cells, regulating enzyme activity, reducing oxidative stress, alleviating inflammation, and reshaping gut microbiota. Hypoglycemic activity is mediated through one or more signaling pathways like PI3K/Akt, MAPK, cAMP-PKA, Nrf2, PKC/NF-κB, ubiquitin-proteasome, and PPARs. Additionally, the activity of dietary polysaccharides relies on their source and structural characteristics, such as monosaccharide composition, glycosidic bond types, branching degree, type of modification, and higher-order structures. Additionally, polysaccharide-based formulations, combined with chemotherapy drugs or used as nanocarriers, show significant potential in enhancing therapeutic efficacy, safety, and patient compliance of anti-diabetic drugs. This review offers valuable insights for researchers and healthcare professionals developing innovative diabetes therapies.

Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides Improved Glucose Metabolism in Prediabetic Mice by Regulating Duodenal Contraction

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) have been shown to exert an antiglycemic effect. Emerging evidence suggests that patients with hyperglycemia have a hypercontractility of duodenum, and targeting duodenal contraction of duodenum can be beneficial to glucose metabolism. However, it is unknown whether LBPs can improve glucose metabolism by regulating the hypercontractility of the duodenum. Our aim was to explore the effect of LBPs on duodenal contraction in prediabetic mice and also preliminarily investigate the mechanism. The results showed that LBPs improved glucose homeostasis by decreasing the duodenal amplitude of contraction rather than frequency. Moreover, LBPs ameliorated the gut microbiota composition and the levels of short-chain fatty acids, especially acetic acid, which might bind to the receptor on neurons to regulate the contraction of the duodenum. Acetic acid was hypothesized to play a key role in the above process. Then, acetic acid was determined to exert an antiglycemic effect as expected. In conclusion, LBPs may rely on acetic acid to regulate duodenal contraction to ameliorate glucose metabolism in prediabetic mice, which provides a new therapeutic strategy to treat dysglycemia.

Lycium Genus Polysaccharide: An Overview of its Extraction, Structures, Pharmacological Activities and Biological Applications

Polysaccharide is considered to be the main active ingredient of the genus Lycium L., which is taken from the dried fruit of the famous Chinese herbal medicine and precious tonic known as wolfberry. Traditional uses include nourishing the liver and kidney and improving eyesight, with widespread use in the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Many studies have focused on the isolation and identification of the genus Lycium L. polysaccharide and its biological activities. However, the variety of raw materials and the mechanisms of polysaccharides differ. After extraction, the structure and biological activity of the obtained polysaccharides also differ. To date, approximately 58 kinds of polysaccharides have been isolated and purified from the Lycium genus, including water-soluble polysaccharides; homogeneous polysaccharides; pectin polysaccharides; acidic heteropolysaccharides; and arabinogalactans, which are composed of arabinose, glucosamine, galactose, glucose, xylose, mannose, fructose, ribose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid. Pharmacological studies have shown that LBPs exhibit a variety of important biological activities, such as protection of nerves; promotion of reproduction; and anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, and eyesight-improving activities. The aim this paper is to summarize previous and current references to the isolation process, structural characteristics, and biological activities of the genus Lycium L. polysaccharide. This review will provide a useful reference for further research and application of the genus Lycium L. polysaccharide in the field of functional food and medicine.

Advances in Mechanism Research on Polygonatum in Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a fast-growing disease with a major influence on people’s quality of life. Oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin are currently the main effective drugs in the treatment of diabetes, but chronic consumption of these drugs has certain side effects. Polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, and phenolics are the primary secondary metabolites isolated from the rhizomes of Polygonatum sibiricum Redouté [Asparagaceae], Polygonatum kingianum Collett & Hemsl [Asparagaceae], or Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua [Asparagaceae], which have attracted much more attention owing to their unique therapeutic role in the treatment and prevention of diabetes. However, the research on the mechanism of these three Polygonatum spp. in diabetes has not been reviewed. This review provides a summary of the research progress of three Polygonatum spp. on diabetes and its complications, reveals the potential antidiabetic mechanism of three Polygonatum spp., and discusses the effect of different processed products of three Polygonatum spp. in treating diabetes, for the sake of a thorough understanding of its effects on the prevention and treatment of diabetes and diabetes complications.

Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) Supplementation during Pregnancy Influences Insulin Sensitivity in Rabbit Does but Not in Their Offspring

This study investigated the effects of Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) dietary supplementation during pregnancy on insulin sensitivity of rabbit does and their offspring. Starting from two months before the artificial insemination, 75 New Zealand White does were fed only commercial standard diet (C) or supplemented with 1% (G1) and 3% (G3) of Goji berries. Their offspring received a standard diet but kept the nomenclature of the mother’s group. Fasting and intravenous glucose tolerance test-derived indices were estimated at 21 days of pregnancy on rabbit does and at 90 days of age on the offspring. No difference was found in the fasting indices, while the diet modulated the response to glucose load of rabbit does. In particular, G3 group had the lowest glucose concentrations 5 min after the bolus administration (p < 0.05) and, as a result, differed in the parameters calculated during the elimination phase such as the elimination rate constant (Kel), the half-life of the exogenous glucose load (t1/2), and apparent volume of distribution (Vd; for all, p < 0.05). The high dose of Goji supplementation could thus enhance the first-phase glucose-induced insulin secretion. Findings on the offspring were inconsistent and therefore a long-term effect of Goji supplementation during pregnancy could not be demonstrated. Further study on the effect of Goji on the secretory pathway of insulin could clarify its hypoglycaemic action, while different protocols are needed to investigate its potential effects on foetal programming.

Improving Activity of Lycium Barbarum. Polysaccharide on Depressive Mice Induced by Reserpine

Depressive disorder will be the second highest disease burden worldwide, which will impair life quality, reduce productivity, and increase disability and mortality. Lycium barbarum. polysaccharide (LBP) is the main active fraction purified from Lycium barbarum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of LBP on depressive mice induced by reserpine, as well as the relevant mechanisms. The antidepressant effect of LBP was investigated by open field test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and antagonism of reserpine hypothermia and ptosis in mice. In addition, we examined the oxidative status and antioxidation power of striatum in both control and depressive mice with or without LBP treatment. To explore the mechanism of LBP on regulating antioxidants in the depressive mice, we detected the expression level of Bcl-2 and poly (ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) in striatum of mice by western blotting. The results showed that administration with LBP for 4 consecutive weeks significantly increased locomotor activity, reduced the duration of immobility, and antagonized hypothermia and ptosis in mice induced by reserpine. Also, LBP treatment was able to reduce the lipid peroxidation (LPO) production, and enhance the antioxidation effect of the striatum in depressive mice. Furthermore, LBP inhibited the decreased extent of the apoptotic suppressors, Bcl-2 and PARP, which were markedly decreased after treatment with reserpine. The above results indicated that LBP possess antidepressant activities, probably via its powerful antioxidative properties and then decreased the apoptosis of striatum neuron.

Extraction Methods Affect the Structure of Goji (Lycium barbarum) Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are considered to be the most important active substances in Goji. However, the structure of polysaccharides varies according to the extraction methods applied, and the solution used to prepare Goji polysaccharides (LBPs) were limited. Thus, it is important to clarify the connection between extraction methods and structure of Goji polysaccharide. In view of the complex composition of cell wall polysaccharides and the various forms of interaction, different extraction methods will release different parts of the cell wall. The present study compared the effects of different extraction methods, which have been used to prepare different types of plant cell wall polysaccharides based on various sources, on the structure of cell-wall polysaccharides from Goji, by the single separate use of hot water, hydrochloric acid (0.4%) and sodium hydroxide (0.6%), at both high and low temperatures. Meanwhile, in order to explore the limitations of single extraction, sequential extraction methods were applied. Structural analysis including monosaccharide analysis, GPC-MALLS, AFM and ¹H-NMR suggested the persistence of more extensively branched rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) domains in the procedures involving low-temperature-alkali, while procedures prepared by high-temperature-acid contains more homogalacturonan (HG) regions and results in the removal of a substantial part of the side chain, specifically the arabinan. A kind of acidic heteropolysaccharide was obtained by hot water extraction. SEC-MALLS and AFM confirmed large-size polymers with branched morphologies in alkali-extracted polysaccharides. Our results provide new insight into the extraction of Goji polysaccharides, which differ from the hot water extraction used by traditional Chinese medicine.

Anti-Diabetic Effects and Mechanisms of Dietary Polysaccharides

Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial, heterogeneous metabolic disorder, causing various health complications and economic issues, which apparently impacts the human's life. Currently, commercial diabetic drugs are clinically managed for diabetic treatment that has definite side effects. Dietary polysaccharides mainly derive from natural sources, including medicinal plants, grains, fruits, vegetables, edible mushroom, and medicinal foods, and possess anti-diabetic potential. Hence, this review summarizes the effects of dietary polysaccharides on diabetes and underlying molecular mechanisms related to inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and diabetes in various animal models. The analysis of literature and appropriate data on anti-diabetic polysaccharide from electronic databases was conducted. In vivo and in vitro trials have revealed that treatment of these polysaccharides has hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, which enhance pancreatic β-cell mass and alleviates β-cell dysfunction. It enhances insulin signaling pathways through insulin receptors and activates the PI3K/Akt pathway, and eventually modulates ERK/JNK/MAPK pathway. In conclusion, dietary polysaccharides can effectively ameliorate hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, low-grade inflammation, and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and, thus, consumption of polysaccharides can be a valuable choice for diabetic control.

Therapeutic Mechanisms of Herbal Medicines Against Insulin Resistance: A Review

Insulin resistance is a condition in which insulin sensitivity is reduced and the insulin signaling pathway is impaired. Although often expressed as an increase in insulin concentration, the disease is characterized by a decrease in insulin action. This increased workload of the pancreas and the consequent decompensation are not only the main mechanisms for the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but also exacerbate the damage of metabolic diseases, including obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, metabolic syndrome, and others. Many clinical trials have suggested the potential role of herbs in the treatment of insulin resistance, although most of the clinical trials included in this review have certain flaws and bias risks in their methodological design, including the generation of randomization, the concealment of allocation, blinding, and inadequate reporting of sample size estimates. These studies involve not only the single-flavored herbs, but also herbal formulas, extracts, and active ingredients. Numerous of in vitro and in vivo studies have pointed out that the role of herbal medicine in improving insulin resistance is related to interventions in various aspects of the insulin signaling pathway. The targets involved in these studies include insulin receptor substrate, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, glucose transporter, AMP-activated protein kinase, glycogen synthase kinase 3, mitogen-activated protein kinases, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase, nuclear factor-kappaB, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. Improved insulin sensitivity upon treatment with herbal medicine provides considerable prospects for treating insulin resistance. This article reviews studies of the target mechanisms of herbal treatments for insulin resistance.

A Single Dose of Goji Berries Does Not Affect Postprandial Energy Expenditure and Substrate Oxidation in Healthy, Overweight Men

Background and Aim

Increasing energy expenditure is an effective strategy for the prevention of obesity. In this respect, Lycium barbarum (goji berry) is of interest, as it has been shown to increase postprandial oxygen consumption. Although this suggests that energy expenditure was also increased, energy expenditure and substrate oxidation can only be assessed accurately when both oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production are measured. We therefore investigated the effects of a single dose of Lycium barbarum fruit on postprandial energy expenditure and substrate oxidation in a randomized, double-blind crossover trial. In addition, markers of lipid and glucose metabolism were measured.

Methods

Seventeen healthy, overweight men received in a random order a meal containing 25 grams of dried Lycium barbarum fruit or a control meal matched for caloric content and macronutrient composition. Energy expenditure and the respiratory quotient were determined using indirect calorimetry before and up to 4 hours after meal intake. Blood was sampled before and after meal intake at regular intervals for analyses of plasma glucose, serum triacylglycerol, and free fatty acid concentrations.

Results

Energy expenditure significantly increased after the Lycium barbarum and control meal, but no differences were found between the meals (p=0.217). Postprandial changes in respiratory quotient (p=0.719) and concentrations of glucose (p=0.663), triacylglycerol (p=0.391), and free fatty acids (p=0.287) were also not affected by Lycium barbarum intake.

Conclusions

A single dose of Lycium barbarum does not affect postprandial energy expenditure, substrate oxidation, and markers for lipid and glucose metabolism in healthy, overweight men.

Effect of Lithium on the Mechanism of Glucose Transport in Skeletal Muscles

While lithium is known to stimulate glucose transport into skeletal muscle, the mechanisms of the increased glucose transport by lithium in skeletal muscle are not well defined yet. We excised epitrochlearis muscles from male Wistar rats and measured the transport rates of a glucose analog into lithium-, insulin-, and muscular contraction-stimulated skeletal muscle tissue and we also analyzed the levels of cell surface glucose transport 4 using a photolabeling and multicolor immunofluorescence method. In addition, we generated a cell line that stably expresses myc-tagged GLUT4 to measure the rates of GLUT4 internalization and externalization. Lithium significantly increased 2-DG glucose transport rate in skeletal muscles; however, it was significantly lower than the stimulation induced by the maximum concentration of insulin or tetanic contraction. But co-treatment of lithium with insulin or tetanic contraction increased glucose transport rate by ∼200% more than lithium alone. When skeletal muscle tissues were treated with lithium, insulin, and muscular contraction, the levels of cell surface GLUT4 protein contents were increased similarly by ∼6-fold compared with the basal levels. When insulin or lithium stimuli were maintained, the rate of GLUT4myc internalization was significantly lower, and lithium was found to suppress the internalization of GLUT4myc more strongly. The lithium-induced increase in glucose uptake of skeletal muscles appears to increase in cell surface GLUT4 levels caused by decreased internalization of GLUT4. It is concluded that co-treatment of lithium with insulin and muscular contraction had a synergistic effect on glucose transport rate in skeletal muscle.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide protects HSF cells against ultraviolet-induced damage through the activation of Nrf2

Background

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is considered an antioxidant agent. NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) is an important regulator for protection against UV damage. In this study, we verified the performance of LBP and the correlation between LBP and Nrf2.

Methods

HSF cells were treated with LBP to determine dose and time dependencies. An antioxidant response element (ARE) reporter was designed to monitor the activity of the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway.

Results

For HSF cells, the optimal LBP treatment was 300 μg/ml for 3 h. The ARE-reporter assay showed that LBP could increase the robustness of p-Nrf2. Treatments with genistein and LY294002 reduced of nuclear p-Nrf2 after 24 h. LBP increased the level of nuclear Nrf2, which functions by both phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Silencing Nrf2 led to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, lower cell viability, and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSP-PX) levels. This induced a higher level of lipid peroxide (LPO). However, LBP could decrease the levels of ROS and LPO and enhance the levels of SOD and GSP-PX.

Conclusion

LBP protects HSF cells against UV damage via the regulation of Nrf2.

The effects of Lycium barbarum L. (L. barbarum) on cardiometabolic risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The effects of Lycium barbarum L. (L. barbarum) on the cardiometabolic risk factors from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown inconsistent results. The present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of L. barbarum supplementation on the cardiometabolic risk factors. A systematic literature search was performed in Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed, Scopus, and Wanfang databases updated to March 2017. The mean changes in cardiometabolic risk factors were calculated as the weighted mean difference (WMD) using a random-effects model. Seven RCTs with a total of 548 subjects were included. The pooled estimate showed that L. barbarum intervention significantly reduced the fasting glucose concentrations (-0.36 mmol L^-1/-6.5 mg dL^-1; 95% confident interval (CI): -0.62, -0.10 mmol L^-1/-11.3, -1.8 mg dL^-1). In addition, L. barbarum supplementation marginally reduced the concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) (-0.30 mmol L^-1/-11.6 mg dL^-1; 95% CI: -0.75, 0.15 mmol L^-1/-29.0, 5.8 mg dL^-1; P = 0.189) and triglyceride (TG) (-0.20 mmol L^-1/-17.7 mg dL^-1; 95% CI: -0.46, 0.05 mmol L^-1/-40.7, 4.4 mg dL^-1; P = 0.122), but the summary estimates did not reach statistical significance. No benefit was found in relation to bodyweight and blood pressure. The present meta-analysis provides some evidence that supplemental L. barbarum might have favourable effect on glucose control.

Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides Decrease Hyperglycemia-Aggravated Ischemic Brain Injury through Maintaining Mitochondrial Fission and Fusion Balance

Although it has been reported that polysaccharides found in Lycium barbarum possess neuroprotective effects, little is known of their ability to ameliorate hyperglycemia-aggravated ischemia/reperfusion brain injury. In this study, normoglycemic (NG) and hyperglycemic (HG) rats were compared after 30 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), followed by 24 or 27 hours of reperfusion, with HG rats pretreated with lyceum barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) or insulin. In each group, the neurological deficit, infarct volume, pathohistology, and expression of proteins, Opa1 and Drp1, were assessed to determine the efficacy of LBP in alleviating hyperglycemia-aggravated ischemia/reperfusion brain injury. Our results show that, compared to the NG group, the HG group had increases in neurological deficits, infarct volume, and evidence of neuronal pyknosis at 24- and/or 72-h of reperfusion (P<0.05) and that pre-treatment with LBP decreased these effects (P<0.05). In addition, immunohistochemistry revealed an increase of Drp1 and a decrease of Opa1 positive neurons in the HG group after 24 and 72 hours of reperfusion when compared to the NG group. LBP treatment prevented the HG-induced alterations in Drp-1 and Opa1 expression. Western blots further confirmed these findings showing that HG caused an increase in phospho-Drp1 and a decrease in Opa1 which were subsequently reversed by LBP addition. These results suggest that hyperglycemia-aggravated ischemic brain damage is associated with an alteration of mitochondrial dynamics and that pre-treatment with LBP ameliorates the hyperglycemia-enhanced ischemic brain damage through maintaining mitochondrial dynamic balance.

Neuroprotective Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide on Focal Cerebral Ischemic Injury in Mice

Increasing evidence demonstrates inflammation contributes to neuronal death following cerebral ischemia. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has been reported to prevent scopolamine-induced cognitive and memory deficits. We recently indicated that LBP exerts neuroprotective effect against focal cerebral ischemic injury in mice via attenuating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of LBP against the behavioral dysfunction induced by focal cerebral ischemia injury in mice. Following 7 successive days of pretreatment with LBP (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) and nimodipine (4 mg/kg) by intragastric gavage, mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Following reperfusion, cerebral blood flows, the total power of the spontaneous EEG, and morphological changes were estimated. Learning and memory ability, and motor coordination were determined by Morris water maze task, rotarod and grip test. Western blot analysis, Real-Time fluorogenic PCR assays, and immunofluorescence staining were used to examine the expression of proinflammatory mediators and activation of microglia. The present study showed that LBP pretreatment significantly enhanced regional cortical blood flow and the total power of the spontaneous EEG, improved memory and motor coordination impairments, and inhibited over-activation of microglia and astrocytes after MCAO. Further study demonstrated LBP suppressed MCAO-induced activations of P65 NF-κB and P38 MAPK, and prevented up-regulations of proinflammatory mediators in hippocampus. Our data suggest that LBP can exert functional recovery of memory and motor coordination deficits and neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemic injury in mice.

Protective effects of fraction 4a of polysaccharides isolated from Lycium barbarum against KBrO3-induced renal damage in rats

LBP-4a exhibits protective effects on KBrO₃-induced renal damage, and the mechanism correlates with the increase of oxidation resistance in renal cells.

Applicability of Isolates and Fractions of Plant Extracts in Murine Models in Type II Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Type II diabetes mellitus is one of the most common public health problems worldwide. Its increasing prevalence in several countries and the difficult metabolic control of individuals with the disease justify studying strategies for primary prevention. The population has sought alternative and cheaper ways to treat the disease, including the use of plants considered medicinal by the population. In this study, we carried out a systematic review on the applicability of isolates and fractions of plant extracts in animal models in type II diabetes. A literature search was performed in MEDLINE/PubMed and Scopus databases. Studies using other experimental animals (horses, rabbits, and monkeys) and humans as well as articles in Chinese, German, and Russian were excluded. We assessed the quality of the studies included by using the criteria described in the ARRIVE guidelines. In general, the animals that received fractions or isolates presented reduced blood glucose levels, normalization of body weight and plasma insulin levels, and reduced total triglycerides and cholesterol. In addition, we observed wide variation among the analyzed parameters, which hindered comparison between the studies found. In further studies, standardized reports and experimental design would help to establish comparable study groups and advance the overall knowledge, thus facilitating translatability from animal data to human clinical conditions.

Goji fruit (Lycium barbarum) protects sciatic nerve function against crush injury in a model of diabetic stress

Excess fructose consumption causes changes in functioning of the central and peripheral nervous systems, which increase the vulnerability of peripheral nerves to traumatic injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the electrophysiological parameters of responses of motoneurons of the spinal cord at high-frequency stimulation of the distal part of the injured sciatic nerve in a model of diabetic stress under action of Lycium barbarum (LB). Male albino rats were given with drinking water with 50% concentration of dietary fructose for 6 weeks. Starting on the 7th week a crush injury of the left sciatic nerve was carried out. Some of the animals received fructose post-injury for 3 weeks and some of the animals received fructose+dry LB fruits for 3 weeks. In the fructose+crush+LВ group a relatively proportional division of tetanic and posttetanic potentiation and depression in responses of ipsilateral and contralateral motoneurons was observed, which would suggest the modulatory role of LB in short-term synaptic plasticity formation. Generally, LB fruit is able to modulate central nervous system reorganization, amplifying positive adaptive changes that improve functional recovery and promote selective target reinnervation in high fructose-diet rats with sciatic nerve crush-injury.

Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Apoptosis, Cellular Adhesion, and Oxidative Damage in Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells of Mice Exposed to Ionizing Radiation Injury

Lycium barbarum has been used for more than 2500 years as a traditional herb and food in China. We investigated the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on apoptosis, oxidative damage, and expression of adhesion molecules in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMNC) of mice injured by ionizing radiation. Kunming mice were exposed to X-rays; then mice in the LBP groups were continuously injected with various concentrations of LBP intraperitoneally for 14 days. Mice in the control group were continuously injected with normal saline (NS) by the same route for 14 days. A normal group was set up. After 1, 7, and 14 days of treatment, mice were killed and BMNC were extracted. Cell cycle, apoptosis, and the expression of adhesion molecules CD44 and CD49d were detected by flow cytometry. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were identified by colorimetric analyses. LBP significantly decreased the percentage of G₀/G₁ phase, apoptosis, MDA level, and expression of CD44 and CD49d and distinctly increased the activity of SOD. LBP showed a protective effect on BMNC against ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis and oxidative damage and altered the expression of adhesion molecule.

Improving the activity of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on sub-health mice

Anti-fatigue activity of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on sub-health mice: LBP-4a exhibited anti-fatigue activity on sub-health mice, and the mechanism was closely correlated with the reduction of lipid peroxidation levels and an increase of antioxidant enzyme activities in skeletal muscle tissue, in addition to the improvement in intracellular calcium homeostasis imbalance of skeletal muscle and an increase in mitochondrial membrane potential.

An evidence-based update on the pharmacological activities and possible molecular targets of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides

Lycium barbarum berries, also named wolfberry, Fructus lycii, and Goji berries, have been used in the People’s Republic of China and other Asian countries for more than 2,000 years as a traditional medicinal herb and food supplement. L. barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are the primary active components of L. barbarum berries and have been reported to possess a wide array of pharmacological activities. Herein, we update our knowledge on the main pharmacological activities and possible molecular targets of LBPs. Several clinical studies in healthy subjects show that consumption of wolfberry juice improves general wellbeing and immune functions. LBPs are reported to have antioxidative and antiaging properties in different models. LBPs show antitumor activities against various types of cancer cells and inhibit tumor growth in nude mice through induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. LBPs may potentiate the efficacy of lymphokine activated killer/interleukin-2 combination therapy in cancer patients. LBPs exhibit significant hypoglycemic effects and insulin-sensitizing activity by increasing glucose metabolism and insulin secretion and promoting pancreatic β-cell proliferation. They protect retinal ganglion cells in experimental models of glaucoma. LBPs protect the liver from injuries due to exposure to toxic chemicals or other insults. They also show potent immunoenhancing activities in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, LBPs protect against neuronal injury and loss induced by β-amyloid peptide, glutamate excitotoxicity, ischemic/reperfusion, and other neurotoxic insults. LBPs ameliorate the symptoms of mice with Alzheimer’s disease and enhance neurogenesis in the hippocampus and subventricular zone, improving learning and memory abilities. They reduce irradiation- or chemotherapy-induced organ toxicities. LBPs are beneficial to male reproduction by increasing the quality, quantity, and motility of sperm, improving sexual performance, and protecting the testis against toxic insults. Moreover, LBPs exhibit hypolipidemic, cardioprotective, antiviral, and antiinflammatory activities. There is increasing evidence from preclinical and clinical studies supporting the therapeutic and health-promoting effects of LBPs, but further mechanistic and clinical studies are warranted to establish the dose–response relationships and safety profiles of LBPs.