Protective Effect and Autophagy Mechanism of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Under High-Glucose Conditions

Objective:To study the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide(LBP)on the proliferation,apoptosis,and autophagy of retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)cells cultured under high-glucose conditions.Methods:The ARPE-19 cell line was randomly divided into a control group(normally cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium/Nutrient Mixture F-12[DMEM/F-12]medium),a high-glucose group(HG;50 mmol/L glucose added to DMEM/F-12 medium),and a HG+LBP group(incubated in DMEM/F-12 medium containing 1 mg/mL LBP for 24 h,and then treated with 50 mmol/L glucose for 24 h).Following Ad-mCherry-GFP-LC3B infection,cell proliferation,apoptosis,mammalian target of rapamy-cin(mTOR)expression,and autophagic flux were determined by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8),AnnexinV-APC/7-AAD Apoptosis Detection Kit,Western blot,and laser confocal microscopy,respectively.Results:The proliferation rate of ARPE-19 cells in the HG group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05),while the proliferation rate of ARPE-19 cells in the HG+LBP group was significantly higher than that in the HG group(P<0.05).The apoptosis rate of ARPE-19 cells in the HG group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05),while the apoptosis rate of ARPE-19 cells in the HG+LBP group was significantly lower than that in the HG group(P<0.05).The relative expression of phosphorylated mTOR(p-mTOR)of ARPE-19 cells in the HG group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05),with enhanced autophagic flux;when compared with the HG group,the HG+LBP group had significantly higher expression of p-mTOR(P<0.05),with diminished autophagic flux.Conclusion:LBP has a protective effect on RPE cells with high glucose-induced injury,and its mechanism may be related to LBP inhibition of high glucose-induced abnormal autophagy.

Potential role of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in glaucoma management:evidence from preclinical in vivo studies

In recent years,the pharmacological benefits of herbal extracts have been revisited for their potential neuroprotective effects in glaucoma.The polysaccharides extracted from the fruits of Lycium barbarum L.,or Lycium barbarum polysaccharides,exert their anti-aging effect through reducing oxidative stress,modulating the immune response,enhancing neuronal responses,and promoting cytoprotection.The therapeutic efficacy of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in preserving retinal ganglion cells and their functions was demonstrated in a range of experimental models of optic neuropathies.These include the acute and chronic ocular hypertension models,the partial optic nerve transection model,and the ischemic-reperfusion injuries model.Based on these findings,Lycium barbarum polysaccharides appear to be a good candidate to be developed as a neuroprotective agent for treating multifactorial diseases.This review aims to present a comprehensive review on the latest preclinical evidence on the pre-and post-treatment benefits of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection.The possible mechanisms of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides mediating retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection will also be described.Moreover,the potential research gaps in the effective translation of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides treatment into clinical glaucoma management will be discussed.

Antioxidative mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides promotes repair and regeneration following cavernous nerve injury

Polysaccharides extracted from Lycium barbarum exhibit antioxidant properties.We hypothesized that these polysaccharides resist oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage following cavernous nerve injury.In this study,rat models were intragastrically administered Lycium barbarum polysaccharides for 2 weeks at 1,7,and 14 days after cavernous nerve injury.Serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities significantly increased at 1 and 2 weeks post-injury.Serum malondialdehyde levels decreased at 2 and 4 weeks.At 12 weeks,peak intracavernous pressure,the number of myelinated axons and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase-positive nerve fibers,levels of phospho-endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein and 3-nitrotyrosine were higher in rats administered at 1 day post-injury compared with rats administered at 7 and 14 days post-injury.These findings suggest that application of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides following cavernous nerve crush injury effectively promotes nerve regeneration and erectile functional recovery.This neuroregenerative effect was most effective in rats orally administered Lycium barbarum polysaccharides at 1 day after cavernous nerve crush injury.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides protects retinal ganglion cells against oxidative stress injury

The accumulation of excessive reactive oxygen species can exacerbate any injury of retinal tissue because free radicals can trigger lipid peroxidation,protein damage and DNA fragmentation.Increased oxidative stress is associated with the common pathological process of many eye diseases,such as glaucoma,diabetic retinopathy and ischemic optic neuropathy.Many studies have demonstrated that Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP)protects against oxidative injury in numerous cells and tissues.For the model of hypoxia we used cultured retinal ganglion cells and induced hypoxia by incubating with 200μM cobalt chloride(CoCl2)for 24 hours.To investigate the protective effect of LBP and its mechanism of action against oxidative stress injury,the retinal tissue was pretreated with 0.5 mg/mL LBP for 24 hours.The results of flow cytometric analysis showed LBP could effectively reduce the CoCl2-induced retinal ganglion cell apoptosis,inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species and the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential.These findings suggested that LBP could protect retinal ganglion cells from CoCl2-induced apoptosis by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species.

Effect of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on the expression of endothelin-1 and its receptors in an ocular hypertension model of rat glaucoma

Lycium barbarum, a traditional Chinese anti-aging herb, has been shown to protect retinal ganglion cells （RGCs） in a rat chronic ocular hypertension （COH） model. Here, we investigated the expression of endothelin-1 （ET-1）, a strong vasoconstrictor, and its receptors, ETA and ETB, in the COH model and assessed the effects of Lycium barbarum on the ET-1 axis. Elevated intraocular pressure （IOP） was induced in the right eye of SD rats using argon laser photocoagulation. （1） The expression of ET-1, ETA and ETB in normal and COH retinas was studied. （2） Some COH rats were fed daily with Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides （LBP） using 1 mg/kg or phosphate-buffered saline （PBS） for 3 weeks （started 1 week before photocoagulation）. The effects of LBP on the expression of ET-1 and its receptors, ETA and ETB, in COH retina were evaluated. A semi-quantitative analysis of staining intensity was used to evaluate the expression levels of ET-1, ETA and ETB in retinal vasculature. We found that （1） Under COH condition, the immunoreactivity of ET-1 was increased in retina associated with an increase of ETB receptor immunoreactivity and a decrease of ETA receptor immunoreactivity. （2） After feeding COH rats with LBP, the expression of ET-1 was decreased with an increase of ETA expression and a decrease of ETB expression in the retina, especially in RGCs. （3） By comparing the staining intensity in the vasculature of COH retina in LBP-fed group with PBS-fed group, there was a decrease in the expression of ET-1 and ETA and an increase in ETB. In summary, ET-1 expression was up-regulated in the retina in COH model. LBP could decrease the expression of ET-1 and modulate the expression of its receptors, ETA and ETB, under the condition of COH. The neuroprotective effect of LBP on RGCs might be related to its ability to regulate the ET-1-mediated biological effects on RGCs and retinal vasculature.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides promotes in vivo proliferation of adult rat retinal progenitor cells

Lycium barbarum is a widely used Chinese herbal medicine prescription for protection of optic nerve.However,it remains unclear regarding the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides,the main component of Lycium barbarum,on in vivo proliferation of adult ciliary body cells.In this study,adult rats were intragastrically administered low-and high-dose Lycium barbarum polysaccharides（1 and 10 mg/kg）for 35 days and those intragastrically administered phosphate buffered saline served as controls.The number of Ki-67-positive cells in rat ciliary body in the Lycium barbarum polysaccharides groups,in particular low-dose Lycium barbarum polysaccharides group,was significantly greater than that in the phosphate buffered saline group.Ki-67-positive rat ciliary body cells expressed nestin but they did not express glial fibrillary acidic protein.These findings suggest that Lycium barbarum polysaccharides can promote the proliferation of adult rat retinal progenitor cells and the proliferated cells present with neuronal phenotype.

OBSERVATION OF THE EFFECTS OF LAK/IL-2 THERAPY COMBINIGN WITH LYCIUM BARBARUM POLYSACCHARIDES IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED CANCER (A REPORT OF 75 CASES)

Senventy nine advanced cancer patients in a clinical trial were treated with LAK/IL-2 combining with Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides (LBP). Initial results of the treatment from 75 evaluable Patients indicated that objective ragression of cancer was achieved in Patients with malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, lung caneer, nasophacyngeal carcinoma,malignant hydrothorax. The response rate of patients treated with LAK/IL-2 plus LBP was 40.9% while that of patients treated with LAK/IL-2 was 16.1% (P<0.05).The mean remission duration in Patients treated with LAK/IL-2 Plus LBP also lasted significantly longer.LAK/IL-2 plus LBP treatment led to more marked increase in NK and LAK cell activity than LAK/IL-2without LBP. The results indicated that LBP can be used as an adjuvant in the biotherapy of cancer.

Determination of the Composition and Content of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides by Chromatography

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides （LBP） were obtained after Lycium barbarum, the study object, went through chloroform-methanol degreasing, water extraction and alcohol precipitation, acetone and ether wash and dry, hydrogen peroxide bleaching, deproteinization by savage method. Determined LBP molecular weight by HPLC was 73950-138090Da. And the monosaccharides in LBP determined by IC mainly included glucose, arabinose, rhamnose, galactose, xylose and mannose, in which glucose, arabinose and galactose had larger contents, while the contents of other monosaccharides were low.

Tissue distribution of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in rat tissue by fluorescein isothiocyanate labeling

To date, in vivo investigations of polysaccharide’s pharmacokinetics are significantly restricted by the difficulty in their detection. This study was conducted to establish the quantitative determination of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBPs) based on fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC) pre-labeling and to investigate their tissue distribution in rat. We obtained the calibration curves linear over the range of 0.0–25 μg/m L in rat tissue samples with correlation coefficients greater than 0.99. The inter-day and intra-day precisions(RSD, %) were within 15%, and the relative recovery ranged 95.2%–102.4%, with RSD range 1.48%–9.58%, indicating that this experiment was suitable for the determination of LBPs. The fluorescence intensity was measured after 24 h storage at room temperature, 3 times of freeze-cycle and cryopreservation at –20 ℃ for 15 day, these results indicated that the stability of the samples was good. LBP-FITC was mainly absorbed by the small intestine and stomach, and mainly excreted in the urine through the kidney;this distinct difference in the tissue distribution of LBPs could be attributed to the size of these LBPs in relation to the pore sizes of the vascular beds in the kidney and liver. Results showed in this study enable us to comprehensively understand the biological effects of LBPs following its oral ingestion.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides protected human retinal pigment epithelial cells against oxidative stressinduced apoptosis

AIM: To investigate the protective effect and its mechanism of lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP)against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.METHODS: ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal pigment epithelial cell lines, were exposed to different concentrations of H2O2 for 24h, then cell viability was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8) assay to get the properly concentration of H2O2 which can induce half apoptosis of APRE-19. With different concentrations of LBP pretreatment, the ARPE-19 cells were then exposed to appropriate concentration of H2O2, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometric analysis. Expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) technique.RSULTS: LBP significantly reduced the H2O2-induced ARPE-19 cells’ apoptosis. LBP inhibited the H2O2-induced down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax.CONCLUSION: LBP could protect ARPE-19 cells from H2O2-induced apoptosis. The Bcl-2 family had relationship with the protective effects of LBP.

Therapeutic Uses of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Mice via Inhibition of Oxidative Stress

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on the treatment of ITP mice and to explore its mechanism. Forty idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) mice were divided randomly into a model control group and LBP groups I, II, III and IV. ITP mice in LBP groups I, II, III, and IV were administered LBP at four different doses (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg·kg-1·d-1, respectively) for 7 days by gavage. Blood samples were collected from the tail veins of the mice after treatment. Platelet counts were determined, and the total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) were measured with ELISA kits. The platelet count was (30.28 ± 13.42) × 109/L in the model control group, and the number of platelets in all LBP groups was higher than that in the model control group. The platelet count increased, and it reached (67.09 ± 10.81) × 109/L in LBP group I;the platelet counts in the other three groups increased significantly compared to LBP group I, and they did not differ significantly. TAS concentrations in the LBP groups were significantly increased compared to the model control group, whereas TOS concentrations were significantly decreased. Taken together, these results indicate that LBP is effective at increasing the number of platelet (PLT), and LBP may treat ITP mice via suppressing oxidative stress.

Effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on the proliferation and differentiation of primary Sertoli cells in young rats

Objective:Sertoli cells(SCs)provide physical support and material supply for germ cells and participate in the formation of blood-testis barrier.The number of SCs is directly proportional to the number of germ cells.And mature SCs ensure the growth of germ cells and the production of sperm.In this study,we explored the effect and underlying mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP)on primary SCs in young rats.Methods:Primary SCs were isolated from the testis of 20-day old rats.The cells were then treated with different concentrations of LBP.Immunocytochemistry was used to detect the expression of Ki67 and the androgen receptor(AR),and western blotting was used to detect the expression of cytokeratin-18(CK-18),AR and phosphorylated Akt(Ser473)in SCs.Results:The number of SCs increased significantly after LBP treatment,and the 100 mg/mL.LBP group had 14%more cells than the control group.The expression of Ki67 in LBP treated groups also increased significantly.LBP inhibited the expression of cytokeratin 18 in SCs.Besides,LBP increased the expression of AR on SCs and promoted the activation of Akt at the ser473 phosphorylation site.Conclusion:LBP promotes the proliferation of immature SCs in young rats and also accelerates their differentiation and maturation.This seems to be associated with activation of the Akt signaling pathway via up-regulation of AR.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides ameliorate canine acute liver injury by reducing oxidative stress,protecting mitochondrial function,and regulating metabolic pathways

The development of acute liver injury can result in liver cirrhosis,liver failure,and even liver cancer,yet there is currently no effective therapy for it.The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect and therapeutic mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBPs)on acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl_(4)).To create a model of acute liver injury,experimental canines received an intraperitoneal injection of 1 mL/kg of CCl_(4)solution.The experimental canines in the therapy group were then fed LBPs(20 mg/kg).CCl_(4)-induced liver structural damage,excessive fibrosis,and reduced mitochondrial density were all improved by LBPs,according to microstructure data.By suppressing Kelch-like epichlorohydrin(ECH)-associated protein 1(Keap1),promoting the production of sequestosome 1(SQSTM1)/p62,nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and phaseⅡdetoxification genes and proteins downstream of Nrf2,and restoring the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes like catalase(CAT),LBPs can restore and increase the antioxidant capacity of liver.To lessen mitochondrial damage,LBPs can also enhance mitochondrial respiration,raise tissue adenosine triphosphate(ATP)levels,and reactivate the respiratory chain complexes I–V.According to serum metabolomics,the therapeutic impact of LBPs on acute liver damage is accomplished mostly by controlling the pathways to lipid metabolism.9-Hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid(9-HODE),lysophosphatidylcholine(Lyso PC/LPC),and phosphatidylethanolamine(PE)may be potential indicators of acute liver injury.This study confirmed that LBPs,an effective hepatoprotective drug,may cure acute liver injury by lowering oxidative stress,repairing mitochondrial damage,and regulating metabolic pathways.

Effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on cytokines in adolescents with subthreshold depression:a randomized controlled study

Strong evidence has accumulated to show a correlation between depression symptoms and inflammatory responses.Moreover,anti-inflammatory treatment has shown partial effectiveness in alleviating depression symptoms.Lycium barbarum polysaccharide(LBP),derived from Goji berries,exhibits notable antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.In our recent double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial,we found that LBP significantly reduced depressive symptoms in adolescents with subthreshold depression.It is presumed that the antidepressant effect of LBP may be associated with its influence on inflammatory cytokines.In the double-blinded randomized controlled trial,we enrolled 29 adolescents with subthreshold depression and randomly divided them into an LBP group and a placebo group.In the LBP group,adolescents were given 300 mg/d LBP.A 6-week follow up was completed by 24 adolescents,comprising 14 adolescents from the LBP group(15.36±2.06 years,3 men and 11 women)and 10 adolescents from the placebo group(14.9±1.6 years,2 men and 8 women).Our results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment,the interleukin-17A level in the LBP group was lower than that in the placebo group.Network analysis showed that LBP reduced the correlations and connectivity between inflammatory factors,which were associated with the improvement in depressive symptoms.These findings suggest that 6-week administration of LBP suppresses the immune response by reducing interleukin-17A level,thereby exerting an antidepressant effect.

Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides Promotes Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Energy Balance in NAFLD Cell Model

Objective:To explore the protective effect and underlying mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP)in a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)cell model.Methods:Normal human hepatocyte LO2 cells were treated with 1 mmol/L free fatty acids(FFA)mixture for 24 h to induce NAFLD cell model.Cells were divided into 5 groups,including control,model,low-,medium-and high dose LBP(30,100and 300μg/mL)groups.The monosaccharide components of LBP were analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography.Effects of LBP on cell viability and intracellular lipid accumulation were assessed by cell counting Kit-8 assay and oil red O staining,respectively.Triglyceride(TG),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),adenosine triphosphate(ATP)and oxidative stress indicators were evaluated.Energy balance and mitochondrial biogenesis related mRNA and proteins were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot,respectively.Results:Heteropolysaccharides with mannose and glucose are the main components of LBP.LBP treatment significantly decreased intracellular lipid accumulation as well as TG,ALT,AST and malondialdehyde levels(P<0.05 or P<0.01),increased the levels of superoxide dismutase,phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase,catalase,and ATP in NAFLD cell model(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the expression of uncoupling protein 2 was down-regulated and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α/nuclear respiratory factor 1/mitochondrial transcription factor A pathway was up-regulated(P<0.05).Conclusion:LBP promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and improves energy balance in NAFLD cell model.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide ameliorates radiation-induced brain injury by regulating gut microbiota

Objective: To determine the extent to which Lycium barbarum polysaccharide(LBP) improves60Co γ-ray radiation-induced brain injury(RIBI) by regulating the gut microbiota.Methods: The RIBI model of mice was established with the appropriate dose of60Co γ-ray to identify the changes in the body weight, behaviors, gut microbiota, and inflammatory reactions of mice. Mice were randomly divided into healthy, RIBI model, and LBP groups. The related inflammatory cytokines were determined using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit. Then, 16S rRNA sequencings of feces were carried out to evaluate the differences in intestinal flora.Results: Compared with the spontaneous activity and exploratory spirit of the healthy group, those traits in the RIBI model mice in the open field significantly decreased, the freezing time in the elevated plus maze(EPM) significantly increased, and the number of times the mice discriminated the novel object was significantly lower. Hematoxylin-eosin slides showed that the main histopathological changes of RIBI occurred in the hippocampus. In addition, the diversity and relative abundances ratio of the gut bacterial phylum, order, family, and genus in the model group varied widely. Changes in Bacteroidetes,Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were the most obvious after head radiation exposure. In comparison, LBP could accelerate the recovery of weight loss in RIBI mice. The frequency that mice entered the center of the open field, facing the open arm in the EPM, and the number of times they discriminated the novel object were significantly increased with LBP administration. LBP could also reduce the levels of inflammatory factor caused by RIBI. LBP increased the diversity and abundance of gut microbiota in RIBI model mice. In addition, LBP increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes but decreased the levels of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria for irradiated mice.Conclusion: LBP can improve depression and tension by regulating the composition of gut microbiota,including lowering the relative abundance of Clostridia and Burkholderiales and raising that of Lactobacillales. Thus, LBP provides a new strategy for improving the protective effects of RIBI.

Research advances on antioxidation,neuroprotection,and molecular mechanisms of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBPs)are the major polysaccharides extracted from L.barbarum,which is used in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for treating diseases.Studies have shown that LBPs have important biological activities,such as antioxidation,anti-aging,neuroprotection,immune regulation.LBPs inhibit oxidative stress,improve neurodegeneration and stroke-induced neural injury,increase proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cell,and promote neural regeneration.Here we have reviewed latest advances in the biomedical activities of LBPs and improved methods for the isolation,extraction,and purification of LBPs.Then,new discoveries to decrease oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis,inhibit aging progress,and improve neural repair in neurodegeneration and ischemic brain injury have been discussed in detail through in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal studies.Importantly,the molecular mechanisms of LBPs in playing neuroprotective roles are further explored.Lastly,we discuss the perspective of LBPs as biomedical compounds in TCM and modern medicine and provide the experimental and theoretical evidence to use LBPs for the treatment of aging-related neurological diseases and stroke-induced neural injuries.

Inhibiting Effects of Achyranthes Bidentata Polysaccharide and Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide on Nonenzyme Glycation in D-galactose Induced Mouse Aging Model

Objective To investigate the inhibiting effects and mechanism of achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide (ABP) and lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on nonenzyme glycation in D-galactose induced mouse aging model. Methods Serum AGE levels were determined by AGE-ELISA, MTT method was used to determine lymphocyte proliferation, IL-2 activity was determined by a bioassay method. Spontaneous motor activity was used to detect mouse's neuromuscular movement, latency of step-through method was used to examine learning and memory abilities of mouse, colormetric assay was used to determine hydroxyproline concentration in mouse skin, pyrogallol autoxidation method was used to determine superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of erythrocytes. Results Decreased levels of serum AGE, hydroxyproline concentration in mouse skin and spontaneous motor activity in D-galactose mouse aging model were detected after treated with ABP or LBP, while lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 activity, learning and memory abilities, SOD activity of erythrocytes, were enhanced. Conclusions ABP and LBP could inhibit nonenzyme glycation in D-galactose induced mouse aging model in vivo and ABP has a better inhibiting effect than LBP.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-glycoprotein preventative treatment ameliorates aversive stimuli-induced depression

Previous studies have shown that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide,the main active component of Lycium barbarum,exhibits antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects in treating neurological diseases.However,the therapeutic action of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on depression has not been studied.In this investigation,we established mouse models of depression using aversive stimuli including exposure to fox urine,air puff and foot shock and physical restraint.Concurrently,we administered 5 mg/kg per day Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-glycoprotein to each mouse intragastrically for the 28 days.Our results showed that long-term exposure to aversive stimuli significantly enhanced depressive-like behavior evaluated by the sucrose preference test and the forced swimming test and increased anxietylike behaviors evaluated using the open field test.In addition,aversive stimuli-induced depressed mice exhibited aberrant neuronal activity in the lateral habenula.Importantly,concurrent Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-glycoprotein treatment significantly reduced these changes.These findings suggest that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-glycoprotein is a potential preventative intervention for depression and may act by preventing aberrant neuronal activity and microglial activation in the lateral habenula.The study was approved by the Jinan University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee(approval No.20170301003)on March 1,2017.

Impact of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide and Danshensu on vascular endothelial growth factor in the process of retinal neovascularization of rabbit

AIM:To discuss the impact of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide (LBP) and Danshensu purified from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of rabbits with retinal neovascularization. METHODS:Forty rabbits were divided into normal control group, model control group, LBP group and Danshensu group. Animals in the normal control group were fed in the normal oxygen environment. Animals in the other three groups were put into the environment with 70% oxygen for 5 days in order to build the model of oxygen-induced vascular proliferation retinopathy. And then different TCM extract was injected into the abdominal cavities of these annimals. After 7 days, the VEGF content of in the serum of rabbit was measured by double antibody sandwich method. RESULTS:Data analysis indicated that VEGF content was as follows:Danshensu group was lower than model control group (12.92 ±3.84ng/L vs 19.32 ±4.15ng/L, P 【 0.05); LBP group and normal control group were lower than model control group (12.92±3.84ng/L, 9.26±1.61ng/L vs 19.32±4.15ng/L, P【0.01); total blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, cholesterol content, fibrinogen content and triacylglycerol content after peritoneal injection of LBP and Danshensu were obviously lower than before injection. CONCLUSION:TCM extract-LBP and Danshensu can prominently reduce the content of VEGF in the process of vascular proliferative retinopathy of rabbit; can prevent the occurrence of retinal microvascular disease by improving partial oxygen -deficient environment or affecting all kinds of new growth factor.