Lycium Barbarum's Diabetes Secrets: A Comprehensive Review of Cellular, Molecular, and Epigenetic Targets with Immune Modulation and Microbiome Influence

• Published in: Journal of pharmaceutical analysis 2024-10, p.101130, Article 101130
• Main Authors: Ali, Zeshan, Ayub, Aqsa, Lin, Ya wen, Anis, Sonam, Khan, Ishrat, Younas, Shoaib, Tahir, Rana Adnan, Wang, Shulin, Li, Jianrong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioactive substances; Glucose metabolism; Gut flora; Immunomodulation; Traditional Chinese medicine; Wolfberry fruit
• ISSN: 2095-1779
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2024.101130

Diabetes, a metabolic disease stemming from impaired or defective insulin secretion, ranks among the most severe chronic illnesses globally. While several approved drugs exist for its treatment, they often come with multiple side effects. Therefore, there is a pressing need for safe and effective anti-diabetic medications. Traditional Chinese medicine has recognized Lycium barbarum (LB, goji berry) plant, commonly known as "wolfberry fruit" in China, for over 2,000 years. Natural compounds derived from LB show promise in reducing diabetes levels. Although research on the impact of LB on diabetes is still limited, our review aims to explore the potential of LB in reducing the risk of diabetes and examine the underlying mechanisms involved. LB can modulate diabetes through various pathways, such as inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities, promoting β-cell proliferation, stimulating insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon secretion, improving insulin resistance and glucose tolerance, and enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, LB improves gut flora and immunomodulation, further aiding diabetes management. These findings highlight the potential clinical utility of LB in managing diabetes and its complications within the framework of evidence-based modern medicine. [Display omitted] •This review delves into LB multifaceted mechanisms in diabetes management, including enzyme inhibition (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), β-cell proliferation, insulin secretion stimulation, glucagon secretion inhibition, and improvement in insulin resistance and glucose tolerance.•The natural compounds in LB exhibit significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to its therapeutic potential in managing diabetes and mitigating its complications.•LB's ability to enhance gut flora and modulate the immune system represents a novel approach to diabetes treatment, highlighting the plant's role in maintaining metabolic health through microbiome influence.•The findings underscore the clinical relevance of LB in modern medicine for diabetes management, providing a foundation for its integration into evidence-based therapeutic strategies and addressing the need for safer, effective anti-diabetic medications.