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 glycopeptide(wolfberry extract)slows N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced degradation of photoreceptors

Photoreceptor cell degeneration leads to blindness, for which there is currently no effective treatment. Our previous studies have shown that Lycium barbarum(L. barbarum) polysaccharide(LBP) protects degenerated photoreceptors in rd1, a transgenic mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. L. barbarum glycopeptide(Lb GP) is an immunoreactive glycoprotein extracted from LBP. In this study, we investigated the potential protective effect of Lb GP on a chemically induced photoreceptor-degenerative mouse model. Wild-type mice received the following: oral administration of Lb GP as a protective pre-treatment on days 1–7;intraperitoneal administration of 40 mg/kg N-methylN-nitrosourea to induce photoreceptor injury on day 7;and continuation of orally administered Lb GP on days 8–14. Treatment with Lb GP increased photoreceptor survival and improved the structure of photoreceptors, retinal photoresponse, and visual behaviors of mice with photoreceptor degeneration. Lb GP was also found to partially inhibit the activation of microglia in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-injured retinas and significantly decreased the expression of two pro-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, Lb GP effectively slowed the rate of photoreceptor degeneration in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-injured mice, possibly through an anti-inflammatory mechanism, and has potential as a candidate drug for the clinical treatment of photoreceptor degeneration.

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.

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.

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.

药用植物宁夏枸杞(Lycium barbarum L.)土壤细菌群落演替特征

【目的】研究土层、季节和树龄对宁夏枸杞土壤细菌群落结构的影响,对揭示枸杞种植区域土壤质量变化规律具有重要意义。【方法】以宁夏枸杞之乡—宁夏回族自治区中宁县为研究区,采用高通量测序分析了不同土层、季节和树龄条件下枸杞土壤细菌生物量及细菌群落结构和丰度的变化趋势。【结果】随着枸杞树龄增加,与幼龄(种植当年,<1年)枸杞土壤相比,春季和夏季0—20 cm中龄(6年)和老龄(12年)土壤总有机碳(total organic carbon,TOC)及0—40 cm土壤总有机氮(total organic nitrogen,TON)含量先增加后减少;春季不同树龄0—20 cm土壤微生物生物量碳(microbial biomass carbon,MBC)和微生物生物量氮(microbial biomass nitrogen,MBN)一直增加,但春季和秋季20—40 cm则呈相反趋势。夏季中龄植株表层土壤MBC最高,但MBN却最低。随着树龄增加,枸杞表层土壤细菌多样性普遍呈先增加后减小的趋势。枸杞土壤变形菌门Proteobacteria、放线菌门Actinobacteria、拟杆菌门Bacteroidete在细菌群落中占绝对优势。相同季节老龄土壤Proteobacteria相对丰度普遍高于幼龄和中龄,幼龄土壤Planctomycetes和绿弯菌门Chloroflexi丰度高于中龄和老龄。变形杆菌中黄色单胞菌Xanthomonadales、红杆菌Rhodobacterales和根瘤菌Rhizobiales占主导地位,尤其是在秋季中龄和3个季节的老龄枸杞土壤。土层、季节和树龄对土壤微生物数量影响不同。【结论】随着树龄增加,宁夏枸杞表层土壤微生物生物量和细菌多样性呈先增加后降低的趋势。老龄植株土壤Xanthomonadales数量相对最多。土层对枸杞土壤碳分布有极显著影响,树龄主要显著影响土壤氮源和细菌群落多样性,季节对枸杞土壤碳源、微生物量碳氮均有极显著影响。

中宁枸杞(Lycium barbarum L.)的核型分析

报道了中宁枸杞( Lycium barbarum L.)的核型.核型公式为K(2n)=2 X=24=2 2 m(4 SAT)+2 sm.核型类型为1A，为较原始的对称核型，并与前人的报道结果进行了对比分 析.

Review on the Diseases and Insects of Lycium barbarum L.

With the increasing planting area of Lycium barbarum L. , influence of diseases and pests has grown more serious, and the researches on the diseases and pests of L. barbarum L. have become increasingly important. This study reviewed the found diseases and pests of L barbarum L. and corresponding control measures, proposed the problems, suggestions and prospects, in order to provide references for the sustainable healthy development of L. barbarum L. industry in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

宁夏枸杞(Lycium barbarum)花器官形态多样性与品系间识别研究

该研究以42份宁夏枸杞(Lycium barbarum)为材料,对其中5个品系来自3个不同采集日期样品的花部性状进行了观察,同时对宁夏枸杞42个品系的16项花器官形态学指标进行了测定,并采用组间单因素方差分析法、主成分分析法和聚类分析法对宁夏枸杞种内的花部形态差异进行了研究。结果表明:宁夏枸杞花器官性状差异较大且多样性丰富,组间单因素方差分析表明宁夏枸杞花部性状在不同时间内采集无显著差异,即宁夏枸杞的花器官形态具有一定稳定性,因此可选用花器官形态作为区分宁夏枸杞种内不同品系的鉴别指标;主成分分析表明有关花瓣外缘色泽、花瓣正-背面脉络、花瓣形状、花瓣背部色泽、花喉色泽、雌雄蕊位置6个花部性状的累积贡献率达到84.791%,在宁夏枸杞品系的分类中起到了主要作用;聚类分析表明在欧式距离为7.5处可将枸杞的42个品系分成五类,能够将宁夏枸杞进行区分。该研究筛选出了能反映宁夏枸杞花器官形态差异的6个主要指标,并将42份宁夏枸杞分为五类,初步建立了宁夏枸杞种内品系间的形态学鉴别方法,可为宁夏枸杞的形态学研究及品系鉴定等提供依据。

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.

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.

Changes of the Main Carotenoid Pigment Contents During the Drying Processes of the Different Harvest Stage Fruits of Lycium barbarum L.

The test analyzed the regularity of biosynthesis and degradation of the main functional components, such as zeaxanthin, β-carotene, and esterified carotenoids in the fruit of Lycium barbarum L. in order to provide theoretical basis for improvement of processing condition, appearance quality, and preservation of carotenoids. RP-HPLC was adapted to assay the changes of the main carotenoids of the different harvested stage fruit during the drying processing. Quantification was realized using external standard with gradient elution. The results showed that zeaxanthin and β-carotene contents in fruits increased dramatically, 2-22 times that of fresh fruits at the beginning of the drying period. In the middle of drying period, degradation occurred to a some extent, and the fall fruit degraded to a large extent. At the end of drying period, zeaxanthin and β-carotene contents increased to a little extent until a balanced state is obtained. Zeaxanthin dipalmitate content had a total degradation to more than 40% at the beginning of the drying period, and increased a little at the middle period, then reached a balanced state finally. The total carotenoid content analysis showed that the summer fruit had higher carotenoid content than the fall fruit. The experiments demonstrated zeaxanthin and β-carotene contents in fruits increased and zeaxanthin dipalmitate decreased during the drying process, which had an effect on the production appearance.

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.

Reversal of Apoptotic Resistance by Lycium barbarum Glycopeptide 3 in Aged T Cells

Objective To study whether Lycium barbarurn glycopeplide 3 （LBGP3） affects T cell apoptosis in aged mice. Methods LBGP3 was purified with DEAE cellulose and Sephadex columns. Apoptotic ＂sub-G1 peak＂ was detected by flow cytometry and DNA ladder was resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis. Levels of IFN-7 and IL-10 were measured with specific kits and mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR. Apoptosis-related proteins of FLIP, FasL, and Bcl-2 were determined by Western blotting. Results LBGP3 was purified from Fructus Lycii water extracts and identified as a 41 kD glycopeptide. Treatment with 200 p.g/mL LBGP3 increased the apoptotic rate of T cells from aged mice and showed a similar DNA ladder pattern to that in young T cells. The reversal of apoptotic resistance was involved in down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and FLIP, and up-regulating the expression of FasL. Conclusion Lycium barbarum glycopeptide 3 reverses apoptotic resistance of aged T cells by modulating the expression of apoptosis-related molecules.

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.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides related RAGE and Aβ levels in the retina of mice with acute ocular hypertension and promote maintenance of blood retinal barrier

Our previous study verified the protective effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP)on retinal neurons and blood vessels in acute ocular hypertension(AOH)mice.To investigate the effect of LBP on the reactivity of retinal glial cells,an AOH mouse model was established in one eye by maintaining ocular hypertension of 90 mm Hg for 60 minutes.Either LBP solution(1 mg/kg)or phosphate-buffered saline was administrated to the mice by gavage daily,starting 7 days before the AOH insult and continuing until the mice were sacrificed for specimen collection on day 4 post-insult.After AOH insult,increased numbers of astrocytes and microglia were observed,together with decreased expression of the following glial cell biomarkers in the retinal ganglion cells of AOH mice:glial fibrillary acidic protein,glutamine synthetase,aquaporin-4,S-100 proteins,ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1,amyloid precursor protein and receptor of advanced glycosylation end-products.After intervention with LBP,the above changes were significantly reduced.Remarkably,morphological remodeling of blood vessel-associated retinal astrocytes,marked by glial fibrillary acidic protein,was also observed.These results,taken together,suggest that LBP regulated the production of amyloid-βand expression of receptor of advanced glycosylation end-products,as well as mediating the activity of retinal glial cells,which may lead to the promotion of better maintenance of the blood-retinal barrier and improved neuronal survival in AOH insult.This study was approved by the Committee for the Use of Live Animals in Teaching and Research(approval No.CULTRA-#1664-08).

Protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on retinal ganglion cells in vitro

AIM: To observe the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on rat retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) In vitro METHODS: Retinal cells of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were collected 1 to 3 days after birth, and co-cultured with different concentrations of LBP for 24 hours. Absorbance values (OD) were recorded using MTT assay for calculating survival rates. RESULTS: All the test groups had protective effects on RGCs. The group with 10mg/mL concentration of LOP had the most significantly difference of OD value compared with that in control group ( P<0.01). CONCLUSION: LBP can increase the survival rate and promote the growth of mixed cultured rat RGCs.

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.