International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 342-354 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmms 342 Research Insight Open Access Research on the Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Effects of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides and Their Molecular Mechanisms Jianhui Li Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, China Corresponding email: jianhui.li@jicat.org International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.6 doi: 10.5376/ijmms.2024.14.0034 Received: 27 Sep., 2024 Accepted: 06 Nov., 2024 Published: 18 Nov., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Li, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Li J.H., 2024, Research on the antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of lycium barbarum polysaccharides and their molecular mechanisms, International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 14(6): 342-354 (doi: 10.5376/ijmms.2024.14.0034) Abstract Lycium BarbarumPolysaccharides (LBPs) are the main active components of Lycium barbarum, exhibiting significant antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. This study systematically analyzes the antioxidant and immunoregulatory mechanisms of LBPs at the cellular and molecular levels. The findings reveal that LBPs enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), scavenging free radicals and reducing lipid peroxidation, thereby mitigating oxidative stress-induced cellular damage. Moreover, LBPs improve immune function by regulating the production of macrophages, T lymphocytes, and cytokines, maintaining immune homeostasis. Further investigation shows that LBPs modulate antioxidant and immune responses through signaling pathways such as Nrf2 and NF-κB, providing new therapeutic insights for preventing and treating oxidative stress-related and immune system diseases. This research offers a theoretical foundation for developing novel therapeutic strategies based on LBPs. Keywords Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides; Antioxidant; Immunomodulation; Free radicals; Nrf2 pathway; NF-κB pathway; Cytokines 1 Introduction Lycium barbarum, commonly referred to as goji berry or wolfberry, is a prominent medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. Native to regions of China and other Asian countries, Lycium barbarumhas been used to promote longevity and overall health. Its dried berries and extracts are consumed for their purported benefits, which include anti-aging, immune-boosting, and vision-enhancing effects. In traditional medicine, Lycium barbarumis often prescribed to treat ailments such as fatigue, high blood pressure, and liver disease, as well as to enhance immune function and increase vitality (Feng et al., 2020). Modern research has validated many of these health claims by identifying key bioactive components in Lycium barbarumfruit, particularly Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs). These water-soluble polysaccharides have been extensively studied and are recognized as the major bioactive constituents responsible for the plant’s therapeutic properties (Xiao et al., 2021). LBPs have gained increasing scientific interest due to their diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, making them a focus of research for potential therapeutic applications(Wu et al., 2019; Zhu et al., 2022). Among the various bioactive components of Lycium barbarum, LBPs stand out for their potent antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Antioxidants are crucial for neutralizing free radicals—unstable molecules that cause oxidative stress, which in turn can lead to cellular damage, aging, and various chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. LBPs have been shown to significantly enhance the body’s natural antioxidant defenses by increasing the activity of key antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (Tang et al., 2018). Studies indicate that LBPs can effectively scavenge free radicals, reduce lipid peroxidation, and protect cells from oxidative stress, which plays a critical role in mitigating the progression of aging and age-related diseases. In addition to their antioxidant capacity, LBPs exhibit profound immunomodulatory effects. They have been found to regulate the activity of both the innate and adaptive immune systems by enhancing the function of
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNQ==