<i>Lycium barbarum</i> for Health and Longevity: A Review of Its Biological Significance
<i>Lycium barbarum</i> (<i>L. barbarum</i>), commonly known as goji berry, is a functional food recognised for its diverse phytochemical composition and health benefits, particularly in metabolic health and disease prevention. This review explores its phytochemistry, focusing...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Tao Zhang Elena-Alexandra Alexa Gavin Liu Alois Berisha Rhys Walsh Robbie Kelleher |
| author_facet | Tao Zhang Elena-Alexandra Alexa Gavin Liu Alois Berisha Rhys Walsh Robbie Kelleher |
| author_sort | Tao Zhang |
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| description | <i>Lycium barbarum</i> (<i>L. barbarum</i>), commonly known as goji berry, is a functional food recognised for its diverse phytochemical composition and health benefits, particularly in metabolic health and disease prevention. This review explores its phytochemistry, focusing on polysaccharides, carotenoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids, which contribute to its extensive biological activities. <i>L. barbarum</i> polysaccharides, the primary bioactive components, exhibit antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and glycaemic-regulating properties, making them promising candidates for managing obesity-related metabolic disorders. Carotenoids, particularly zeaxanthin, play a key role in ocular health, while polyphenols and alkaloids enhance antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective effects. The biological properties of <i>L. barbarum</i> span metabolic health, cardiovascular function, and glycaemic control, alongside neuroprotection and cancer prevention. Its prebiotic effects on gut microbiota modulation offer additional benefits in managing obesity and associated complications. Furthermore, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities support its role in alleviating oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, common in obesity and metabolic syndrome. Despite robust preclinical evidence, further studies are needed to validate its safety, efficacy, and long-term potential in human populations. This review highlights <i>L. barbarum</i>’s promising applications as a nutraceutical and therapeutic agent, particularly for metabolic and obesity-related health challenges. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d2fe076d694b4c62979a26eea54937b4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-d2fe076d694b4c62979a26eea54937b42025-08-20T03:27:25ZengMDPI AGObesities2673-41682025-05-01523510.3390/obesities5020035<i>Lycium barbarum</i> for Health and Longevity: A Review of Its Biological SignificanceTao Zhang0Elena-Alexandra Alexa1Gavin Liu2Alois Berisha3Rhys Walsh4Robbie Kelleher5School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman, Dublin 7, D07 ADY7 Dublin, IrelandSchool of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman, Dublin 7, D07 ADY7 Dublin, IrelandSchool of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman, Dublin 7, D07 ADY7 Dublin, IrelandSchool of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman, Dublin 7, D07 ADY7 Dublin, IrelandSchool of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman, Dublin 7, D07 ADY7 Dublin, IrelandSchool of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland<i>Lycium barbarum</i> (<i>L. barbarum</i>), commonly known as goji berry, is a functional food recognised for its diverse phytochemical composition and health benefits, particularly in metabolic health and disease prevention. This review explores its phytochemistry, focusing on polysaccharides, carotenoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids, which contribute to its extensive biological activities. <i>L. barbarum</i> polysaccharides, the primary bioactive components, exhibit antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and glycaemic-regulating properties, making them promising candidates for managing obesity-related metabolic disorders. Carotenoids, particularly zeaxanthin, play a key role in ocular health, while polyphenols and alkaloids enhance antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective effects. The biological properties of <i>L. barbarum</i> span metabolic health, cardiovascular function, and glycaemic control, alongside neuroprotection and cancer prevention. Its prebiotic effects on gut microbiota modulation offer additional benefits in managing obesity and associated complications. Furthermore, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities support its role in alleviating oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, common in obesity and metabolic syndrome. Despite robust preclinical evidence, further studies are needed to validate its safety, efficacy, and long-term potential in human populations. This review highlights <i>L. barbarum</i>’s promising applications as a nutraceutical and therapeutic agent, particularly for metabolic and obesity-related health challenges.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4168/5/2/35<i>Lycium barbarum</i>goji berrytraditional Chinese medicine (TCM)bioactivesphytochemistrybiological properties |
| spellingShingle | Tao Zhang Elena-Alexandra Alexa Gavin Liu Alois Berisha Rhys Walsh Robbie Kelleher <i>Lycium barbarum</i> for Health and Longevity: A Review of Its Biological Significance Obesities <i>Lycium barbarum</i> goji berry traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) bioactives phytochemistry biological properties |
| title | <i>Lycium barbarum</i> for Health and Longevity: A Review of Its Biological Significance |
| title_full | <i>Lycium barbarum</i> for Health and Longevity: A Review of Its Biological Significance |
| title_fullStr | <i>Lycium barbarum</i> for Health and Longevity: A Review of Its Biological Significance |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Lycium barbarum</i> for Health and Longevity: A Review of Its Biological Significance |
| title_short | <i>Lycium barbarum</i> for Health and Longevity: A Review of Its Biological Significance |
| title_sort | i lycium barbarum i for health and longevity a review of its biological significance |
| topic | <i>Lycium barbarum</i> goji berry traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) bioactives phytochemistry biological properties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4168/5/2/35 |
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