Research Advances on the Anti-aging Profile of Fructus lycii: an Ancient Chinese Herbal Medicine

Stephen Cho-Wing Sze, The School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
Juxian Song, The School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
Kalin Yanbo Zhang, The School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
Ricky Ngok-Shun Wong, Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
Yao Tong, The School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China

Abstract

Fructus lycii is a common Chinese herbal medicine used in China for nearly 2000 years. It has beneficial effects on eyes, liver and kidneys; and it has long been considered to be an anti-aging herb in ancient Chinese medicine. Modern studies have partially probed the magic anti-aging property of F. lycii. The beneficial effects of F. lycii on aging are largely attributed to its bioactive components such as polysaccharides, carotenoids and flavonoids. This review focuses on the anti-aging aspect of F. lycii, elaborating the bioactive ingredients accounting for the property, anti-aging pharmacology in terms of its antioxidation capacity, immunomodulative effect and neuroprotective activity.

Submitted: December 5, 2007 · Accepted: December 28, 2007 · Published: May 20, 2008

Recommended Citation

Sze, Stephen Cho-Wing; Song, Juxian; Chang, Raymond Chuen-Chung; Zhang, Kalin Yanbo; Wong, Ricky Ngok-Shun; and Tong, Yao (2008) "Research Advances on the Anti-aging Profile of Fructus lycii: an Ancient Chinese Herbal Medicine," Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine: Vol. 5 : Iss. 1, Article 8.
DOI: 10.2202/1553-3840.1111
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/jcim/vol5/iss1/8

 
 
 
 

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