Also known as Lycium berry, wolfberry or goji berry, it is a fruit popular in China and Eastern Asia, and known medicinally for 2000 years.
Historical use
Lycium fruit has been used for a number of conditions including diabetes,
fertility, cancer, and
vision. Little human research is available in the West to know for sure what
condition lycium fruit can be used for, in what dosage, and how often.
What's in it?
A number of compounds are present in lycium barbarum, including
flavonoids and pyrrole derivatives.
Goji Berry - Wolfberry -
buy Lycium Barbarum - 500 mg
See the
Goji Berry
article
Supplement Facts:
Serving size: 1 Capsule
servings per container: 60
Amount Per Serving: Goji Berry - Wolfberry - Lycium Barbarum 500 mg
Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 lycium barbarum capsule a few times a week, or as recommended by your health care provider.
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Supplement Facts:
Vitamin C
- (Ascorbic acid)
Citrus bioflavonoids
(eriocitrin,
hesperidin,
flavonols,
flavones,
flavonoids, naringenin, and
quercetin)
Mixed carotenoids
(astaxanthin,
beta carotene, cryptoxanthin,
Lutein,
Lycopene,
Zeaxanthin)
Bilberry
extract (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Eyebright
extract (Euphrasia officianales)
Jujube extract (Zizyphus jujube)
Ginkgo biloba
(Ginkgo biloba)
Suma extract (Pfaffia paniculata)
Mucuna pruriens
extract (Cowhage)
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Lycium (Lycium Barbarum)
Sarsaparila (Sarsaparilla Smilax)
Alpha Lipoic acid
antioxidant
Lycium Barbarum review articles and
potential anti-aging benefit
Drug Des Devel Ther. 2014. 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.
Use of anti-aging herbal medicine, Lycium barbarum, against
aging-associated diseases. What do we know so far?
Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2008. Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The
University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Lycium barbarum (Gouqizi, Fructus Lycii, Wolfberry) is well known for nourishing
the liver, and in turn, improving eyesight. However, many people have forgotten
its anti-aging properties. Valuable components of Lycium barbarum are not
limited to its colored components containing zeaxanthin and carotene, but
include the polysaccharides and small molecules such as betaine, cerebroside,
beta-sitosterol, p-coumaric, and various vitamins. Despite the fact that Lycium
barbarum has been used for centuries, its beneficial effects to our bodies have
not been comprehensively studied. Recently, our laboratory has demonstrated its
neuroprotective effects to counter neuronal loss in neurodegenerative diseases.
Polysaccharides extracted from Lycium barbarum can protect neurons against beta-amyloid
peptide toxicity in neuronal cell cultures, and retinal ganglion cells in an
experimental model of glaucoma. We have accumulated scientific evidence for its
anti-aging effects that should be highlighted for modern preventive medicine.
Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2013 May 16. A study of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) extraction technology and its anti-aging effect. The objective of the study was to optimise the LBP extraction technology and to study the anti-aging effect of LBP by establishing D-gal aging mouse model. Orthogonal design was used to study the extraction technology. The experimental aging mouse model was formed by continuous injection of D-gal, and the anti-aging capacity of LBP was tested using measuring MDA, CAT and GSH-px contents and SOD activity in blood and SOD, MDA and Hyp levels in skin. The results showed that the optimum LBP extraction option determined by the orthogonal design is as follows: solid-liquid ratio of 1:30, extraction for 2 times, 90 min each time, and power is 100 kHz. Thus, LBP can increase SOD, CAT and GSH-px levels in blood and reduce MDA level. It can also improve skin SOD activity, reduce skin MDA content, and increase Hyp content. We concluded that the extraction method established in this experiment is easy and feasible, and the yield of LBP is high, apparently showing that LBP has the potential of delaying senility in D-gal induced mice.
Drug Des Devel Ther. 2014. 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.
Benefits of Lycium Barbarum
Lycium fruit contains flavonoids with antioxidant properties. Some of the
compounds in lycium protect the liver from oxidants as well as milk thistle. In
laboratory studies, lycium was able to inhibit growth of leukemia and liver
cancer cells. Lycium fruit may also have anti-fatigue properties.
PLoS One 2014. Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides Prevent
Memory and Neurogenesis Impairments in Scopolamine-Treated Rats.
Nat Prod Res. 2015. Anticancer effect of ethanol Lycium
barbarum (Goji berry) extract on human breast cancer T47D cell line. Anticancer
activity and lack of toxicity against normal cells indicate a chemopreventive
potential of Goji berries in breast cancer treatment.
Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017. Lycium barbarum Reduces Abdominal
Fat and Improves Lipid Profile and Antioxidant Status in Patients with Metabolic
Syndrome.
Side effects of Lycium Berry
Not enough research has been done regarding the side effect profile of
lycium berry.
Review
There are quite a number of positive aspects to the lycium fruit but we
will need human trials to find out how practical this herb can be in terms of
disease prevention or treatment. I have come across some libido products that
have lycium in their formula, however I have not seen any research yet in
regards to this aphrodisiac property.
Research review
Lycium barbarum polysaccharides: Protective effects against
heat-induced damage of rat testes and H2O2-induced DNA damage in mouse
testicular cells and beneficial effect on sexual behavior and reproductive
function of hemicastrated rats.
Life Sci. 2006. College of Public
Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
Lycium barbarum, a famous Chinese medicinal herb, has a long history of use as a
traditional remedy for male infertility. Polysaccharides are the most important
functional constituent in Lycium barbarum fruits. We systematically investigated
the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on rat testis damage induced by a
physical factor (43 degrees C heat exposure), on DNA damage of mouse testicular
cells induced by a chemical factor (H2O2), and on sexual behavior and
reproductive function of hemicastrated male rats. The results showed that Lycium
barbarum provided a protective effect against the testicular tissue damage
induced by heat exposure. When compared with negative control, a suitable
concentration of Lycium barbarum significantly increased testis and epididymis
weights, improved superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and raised sexual hormone
levels in the damaged rat testes. Lycium barbarum had a dose-dependent
protective effect against DNA oxidative damage of mouse testicular cells induced
by H2O2. Lycium barbarum improved the copulatory performance and reproductive
function of hemicastrated male rats, such as shortened penis erection latency
and mount latency, regulated secretion of sexual hormones and increased hormone
levels, raised accessory sexual organ weights, and improved sperm quantity and
quality. The present findings support the folk reputation of Lycium barbarum
fruits as an aphrodisiac and fertility-facilitating agent, and provide
scientific evidence for a basis for the extensive use of Lycium barbarum fruits
as a traditional remedy for male infertility in China.
Effect of lycium barbarum polysaccharide on human hepatoma
QGY7703 cells: inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis.
Life Sci. 2005.
Lycium barbarum polysaccharide is found to have anticancer activity. In this
study, the effect of lycium on the proliferation rate, cell cycle distribution
and apoptosis in the human hepatoma QGY7703 cell line were investigated. The
study suggests that the induction of cell cycle arrest and the increase of
intracellular calcium in apoptotic system may participate in the
antiproliferative activity of lycium in human hepatoma QGY7703 cells.
Fasting plasma zeaxanthin response to Lycium barbarum
(wolfberry; Kei Tze) in a food-based human supplementation trial.
Br J Nutr. 2005.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common disorder that causes
irreversible loss of central vision. Increased intake of foods containing
zeaxanthin may be effective in preventing AMD because the macula accumulates
zeaxanthin and lutein, oxygenated carotenoids with antioxidant and blue
light-absorbing properties. Lycium barbarum L. is a small red berry known as
Fructus lycii and wolfberry in the West, and Kei Tze and Gou Qi Zi in Asia.
Lycium is rich in zeaxanthin dipalmitate, and is valued in Chinese culture
for being good for vision. The aim of this study, which was a single-blinded,
placebo-controlled, human intervention trial of parallel design, was to provide
data on how fasting plasma zeaxanthin concentration changes as a result of
dietary supplementation with whole wolfberry. Fasting blood was collected from
healthy, consenting subjects; fourteen subjects took 15 g/d lycium (estimated
to contain almost 3 mg zeaxanthin) for 28 d. Repeat fasting blood was collected
on day 29. Age- and sex-matched controls (n 13) took no lycium. After lycium supplementation,
plasma zeaxanthin increased 2.5-fold. This human supplementation trial shows that zeaxanthin in whole
lycium is bioavailable and that intake of a modest daily amount markedly
increases fasting plasma zeaxanthin levels. These new data will support further
study of dietary strategies to maintain macular pigment density.
Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects and antioxidant
activity of fruit extracts from Lycium barbarum.
Life Sci. 2004.
The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Lycium barbarum fruit water
decoction, crude polysaccharide extracts (crude LBP), and purified
polysaccharide fractions (LBP-X) in alloxan-induced diabetic or hyperlipidemic
rabbits were investigated. Total antioxidant capacity assay showed that all
three Lycium barbarum extracts/fractions possessed antioxidant activity.
However, water and methanolc fruit extracts and crude polysaccharide extracts
exhibited stronger antioxidant activity than purified polysaccharide fractions
because crude extracts were identified to be rich in antioxidants (e.g.,
carotenoids, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, thiamine, nicotinic acid). Lycium
barbarum polysaccharides (glycocojugates), containing several monosaccharides
and 17 amino acids, were major bioactive constituents of hypoglycemic effect.
Both polysaccharides and vitamin antioxidants from Lycium barbarum fruits were
possible active principles of hypolipidemic effect.
Comparison of plasma responses in human subjects after the ingestion of
3R,3R'-zeaxanthin dipalmitate from wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) and non-esterified
3R,3R'-zeaxanthin using chiral high-performance liquid chromatography.
Br J Nutr. 2004.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common eye diseases of
elderly individuals. It has been suggested that lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce
the risk for AMD. Information concerning the absorption of non-esterified or
esterified zeaxanthin is rather scarce. Furthermore, the formation pathway of
meso (3R,3'S)-zeaxanthin, which does not occur in plants but is found in the
macula, has not yet been identified. Thus, the present study was designed to
assess the concentration of 3R,3R'-zeaxanthin reached in plasma after the
consumption of a single dose of native 3R,3'R-zeaxanthin palmitate from Lycium barbarum or non-esterified zeaxanthin in equal
amounts.
2-O-(beta-D-Glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid, a novel ascorbic acid analogue
isolated from Lycium fruit.
J Agric Food Chem. 2004.
A novel stable precursor of ascorbic acid (vitamin C),
2-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid, was isolated from both the ripe fresh
fruit and dried fruit of Lycium barbarum, a plant of the Solanaceae family.
The chemical structure was inferred by instrumental analyses and confirmed by
chemical synthesis. The dried fruit of Lycium barbarum contained ca. 0.5% of
it, which is comparable to the ascorbic acid content of fresh lemons. It
increased the blood ascorbic acid by oral administration to rats, and it was
also detected in blood from the portal vein.
[Study on protective action of lycium barbarum polysaccharides on DNA imparments
of testicle cells in mice]
Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2003.
To investigate the protective effect of lycium barbarum polysaccharides on
DNA oxidative damage of testicle cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The
single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) was used to detect the breakage of DNA
strand and analyze lycium protection against oxidation damage in testicle cells
treated by different concentrations of lycium for 1 hour firstly, and then cultured
with 100 mumol/L H2O2 for 25 min. The results showed that a certain moment
action by H2O2 could induce the breakage of DNA strand. The pretreatment of
lycium significantly decreased the frequencies of
cells with tail moment and the tail length of testicle cells treated by H2O2. It
is suggested that lycium itself could not cause the oxidation damage, but it could
clean out the free-radical and restrain the DNA damage of testicle cells caused
by the oxidative stress.
Effect of lycium fruit and epimedium on DNA synthesis of the aging-youth
2BS fusion cells
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2003.
To study the effect of water extracts of lycium fruit and Epimedium (EM) on DNA synthesis of the aging-youth 2BS fusion cells.
Human embryonic lung diploid fibroblasts 2BS national standard strain, were used
as an aging model. Cell denucleation and cell fusion techniques were applied to
observe the effect of lycium and EM on DNA synthesis of 2BS fusion cells. Both lycium and EM can accelerate
the DNA synthesis rate of the aging youth 2BS fusion cells and prolong the life
span of 2BS cells.
A polysaccharide-protein complex from Lycium barbarum upregulates cytokine
expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Eur J Pharmacol. 2003.
The production of cytokine is a key event in the initiation and regulation of an
immune response. Many compounds are now used routinely to modulate cytokine
production, and therefore the immune response, in a wide range of diseases, such
as cancer. Interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are two important
cytokines in antitumor immunity. In this study, the effects of Lycium barbarum
polysaccharide-protein complex on the expression of interleukin-2 and tumor
necrosis factor-alpha in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were
investigated. Administration of Lycium increased the expression of interleukin-2
and tumor necrosis factor-alpha at both mRNA and protein levels in a
dose-dependent manner. The results suggest that Lycium polysaccharide may induce immune
responses and possess potential therapeutic efficacy in cancer.
Hepatoprotective pyrrole derivatives of Lycium chinense fruits.
Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2003.
As a part of our search for hepatoprotective compounds from Lycium chinense
fruits, three new pyrrole derivatives were isolated. These compounds and a
related synthetic methylated compound (4) were evaluated for their biological
activity and structure-activity relationship, and compounds 1 and 2 showed
hepatoprotective effects comparable to silybin.
[Isolation and purification of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and its
antifatigue effect]
Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2000.
A purified component of lycium barbarum polysaccharide was isolated from lycium barbarum.
Lycium was tested on five different doses (5, 10, 20, 50 and 100
mg.kg-1.d-1) in mice. The results showed that lycium induced a remarkable
adaptability to exercise load, enhanced resistance and accelerated elimination
of fatigue. Lycium could enhance the storage of muscle and liver glycogen,
increase the activity of LDH before and after swimming, decrease the increase of
blood urea nitrogen (BUN) after strenuous exercise, and accelerate the clearance
of BUN after exercise. The dosage of lycium 10 mg.kg-1.d-1 was the best amount
among the five tested doses.
Inhibition the growth of human leukemia cells by Lycium barbarum
polysaccharide
Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2001.
The protective effects of total flavonoids from Lycium Barbarum L. on lipid
peroxidation of liver mitochondria and red blood cell in rats
Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 1999.
The protective effects of total flavonoids from Lycium Barbarum L. on
lipid peroxidation in mitochondria and red blood cells (RBC) induced by oxygen
radicals produced by Fe2+ cysteine system were investigated. The mitochondria
lipid peroxidation (measured as malondialdehyde, MDA) was significantly
inhibited by lycium, and the fluidity of mitochondria membrane was also
protected effectively. It was observed by scan electron microscope, that the
shape of RBC in the Fe2+ system was damaged significantly. The shape of RBC was
remained with the addition of lycium barbarum.
Lycium supplement emails
Q. I have a lycium extract and I am in rowing team of my college and from
personal experiences I know lycium supplies huge amounts of energy. I also feel
euphoric while using it. It is said to be a yin essence tonic, which implies to
DHEA. Can it have the ability to boost dhea synthesis. I dont thnik the joy
lyceum
provides is not because of increased serotonin, at least not just that.
A. Yes, lycium can provide a lot of energy, and it is
much more complicated than just influencing one or two body chemicals and
hormones. Lycium probably has an effect on many physiological metabolic factors
in the body which have not yet been fully evaluated. Many herbs enhance
energy.
Q. I have seen both spellings, lyceum and lycium fruit.
Which one is correct?
A. Actually these are two different words. Lycium refers to the fruit. The Lyceum was a gymnasium near Athens and the site
of a philosophical school. The Lyceum was named after the neighboring temple of
Lycian Apollo. In 335 B.C. Aristotle established a school and research institute
in the Lyceum. A lyceum can also be defined as an educational institution (often
a school of secondary education in Europe), or a public hall used for cultural
events.
Can it be taken with
LJ100?
In small doses, yes.