International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 342-354 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmms 349 Figure 3 Regulatory Effects of Different LBPs on Gut Microbiota (Adapted from Cao et al., 2022) Figure Description: The image illustrates that LBPs significantly increase the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, while inhibiting the growth of potential pathogens like Escherichia coli and Salmonella. Additionally, LBPs show a positive role in enhancing gut microbial diversity and regulating gut environmental stability, particularly by promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This helps maintain gut barrier function and supports immune regulation. The figure highlights how LBPs exert their health-promoting effects by influencing the composition of gut microbiota and their metabolic products (e.g., SCFAs), including boosting immune function, improving metabolic syndromes (such as obesity and diabetes), and modulating gut inflammation (Adapted from Cao et al., 2022). 5.2 Synergy with antioxidants LBPs also exhibit synergistic effects when combined with other natural antioxidants, such as vitamin C, enhancing their ability to neutralize free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage. Research has indicated that combining LBPs with antioxidants increases their effectiveness in preventing cellular damage and improving overall antioxidant capacity. This synergy is particularly important in therapies aimed at preventing oxidative stress-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The combination of LBPs and antioxidants has been shown to enhance antioxidant enzyme activity, reduce lipid peroxidation, and protect tissues from oxidative injury (Zeng et al., 2023). 5.3 Potential in managing diabetes and obesity LBPs have shown promise in managing metabolic disorders, particularly when combined with traditional antidiabetic therapies. Studies have demonstrated that LBPs can help regulate blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and modulate lipid profiles in diabetic and obese patients. For example, LBPs have been reported to significantly reduce fasting blood glucose levels, improve lipid metabolism, and decrease insulin resistance in diabetic mice. When used in conjunction with antidiabetic medications, LBPs enhance the efficacy of these treatments and provide additional benefits, such as reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. These effects are primarily mediated through their ability to modulate gut microbiota, which plays a crucial role in metabolic health (Yang et al., 2021; Huang et al., 2022). 6 Therapeutic Applications of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides 6.1 Anti-Aging and Neuroprotection Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) have shown significant promise in mitigating the detrimental effects of aging and neurodegeneration by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation—two key processes implicated in diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cerebral ischemia. Studies indicate that LBPs possess neuroprotective
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNQ==