LYCIUM BARBARUM (GOJI BERRY) AND ITS EFFECTS IN HEALTH
Marcela Bueno1, Mariana Ricci Barion1, Sandra Maria Barbalho*1,2, Élen Landgraf Guiuer1,2
1Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília, Av. Higino Muzzi Filho 1001, Marí lia 15525- 902, SP, Brazil.
2Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Technology of Marília (FATEC), Av. Castro Alves, 62, Marília 17506- 000, SP, Brazil.
ABSTRACT
Lycium barbarum or goji berry (or wolfberry) is a plant popularly known for its benefits to the health, including hypoglicemic effects, body weight control and as anti – cancer. The purpose of this review was to investigate the properties and medicinal applications of L.barbarum. Although there are still many characteristics that need to be studied about this plant, several benefic effects have been reported. Literature shows that there are several compounds in g ojy berry that may prevent oxidant and inflammatory process, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and obesity. We suggest that this plant should be more researched in order to evaluate the possibility of application in the pharmaceutical industry and to obtain enough information to consider validation for its medicinal use.
KEYWORDS: Lycium barbarum, oxidative stress, inflammation, weight control, hyperglycemia.
*This is a literature on the study of goji berry and antioxidants . You can click here to read the full text.
