The Chinese wolfberry, also known as goji berry, contains more than 15 percent protein, 21 minerals and 18 amino acids. This popular and nutrient-dense superfood has been the subject of much interest for its high antioxidant content and other healthful attributes. A variety of medicinal uses of wolfberry have been substantiated by scientific research. Consult a doctor before using it.
Vision
Wolfberry protects the retina from injury due to ischemia, which is decreased blood supply, according to a study published in the January 2011 "PLoS One" journal. In the study, laboratory mice with ischemia that had consumed 1mg/kg body weight of wolfberry extract per day for one week showed retinal improvements such as decreased retinal cell death, decreased apoptosis, or cell death, and decreased oxidative stress compared to a control group that did not receive wolfberry. The researchers concluded that the results of the experiment point to wolfberry's neuroprotective effects for vision, and thus, they support the traditional Chinese medicinal use for wolfberry.
Sciatica
Sciatica responds well to treatment with wolfberry, according to a study published in the November 2010 "Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi" journal. In the study, scientists injected laboratory rats that had sciatic nerve injury with 10mg/kg body weight of wolfberry extract per day for 28 days. Cell damage occurred in 25 percent of the wolfberry group compared to 60 percent in a control group that did not receive wolfberry, and nerve tumors formed in 40 percent in the wolfberry group compared to 80 percent in the control group.
Heart
Wolfberry's heart protective properties were shown in a study on laboratory animals that showed polysaccharide extracts improved several important cardiac enzyme levels and their activity. The researchers also noted decreased apoptosis in cardiac cells and thus concluded that the active constituents in wolfberry provide a distinct cardioprotective effect. The study was published in the December 2010 "International Journal of Biological Macromolecules."
Cervical Cancer
A study published in the August 2010 "Cell Biology and Toxicology" journal confirmed wolfberry's anti-cancer properties. A vitamin C compound, one of the fruit's main active constituents, showed cell-toxic and tumor-inhibiting effects on tissue cultures of a particular type of aggressive cervical cancer. The wolfberry extract inhibited tumor growth by inhibiting apoptosis of healthy cells and promoting apoptosis of cancer cells; however, the researchers noted that wolfberry was not effective on other cancer cell lines tested. They concluded the potential of wolfberry to be used as a dietary supplement for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.
References
- "PLoS One"; Lycium barbarum polysaccharides reduce neuronal damage, blood-retinal barrier disruption and oxidative stress in retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Li SY et al; Jan 2011
- "Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery"; [Effects of lycium barbarum polysaccharide on formation of traumatic neuroma and pain after transection of sciatic nerve in rats]; Fan H et al; Nov 2011
- "International Journal of Biological Macromolecules"; Chemical characterization of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and their reducing myocardial injury in ischemia/reperfusion of rat heart; Lu SP et al; Dec 2010
- "Cell Biology and Toxicology"; Selective suppression of cervical cancer Hela cells by 2-O-beta-D: -glucopyranosyl-L: -ascorbic acid isolated from the fruit of Lycium barbarum L. Zhang Z et al; Aug 2010
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