Effect of Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) Serum Extract on the Expression of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines during Wound Healing in Wistar Rats: A Systematic Literature Review
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Wound healing is a complex biological process involving the phases of hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, in which cytokines and growth factors play an important role. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of administration of Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) serum extract on the main molecular markers involved in wound healing in Wistar rats. This study was a systematic literature review that assessed the effect of administration of Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) serum extract on the expression of mRNA pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF and IL-1), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β), as well as matrix metalloproteinase enzyme MMP-9 and its inhibitor TIMP-1 in the wound healing process in Wistar rats. The findings of the review show that Goji Berry extract is able to suppress pro-inflammatory molecules while increasing anti-inflammatory molecules, thereby accelerating the transition from the inflammatory phase to the proliferative phase as well as supporting tissue regeneration. This extract also plays a role in regulating the degradation balance and repair of the extracellular matrix through increased expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1, which ensures optimal tissue remodeling. Goji Berry extract has the potential to be an effective natural therapeutic agent in supporting wound healing with minimal side effects. Further research is needed to optimize doses, administration methods, and validate their application in humans for wider clinical use. This study highlights the potential of Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) serum extract in modulating key molecular markers of wound healing. The results demonstrate the extract's ability to balance pro- and anti-inflammatory mRNA expression and regulate extracellular matrix remodeling, thereby supporting faster and better tissue repair. These findings provide the basis for the development of effective natural wound therapies and guide further research into optimal clinical applications.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Amaglo, N. K., Potterat, O., & Xiao, J. (2025). A focus on Lycium barbarum (Solanaceae): Phytochemical profile, pharmacological activities, and toxicological aspects. Heliyon, 11(2), e024162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e024162
Blair, M. J., Jones, J. D., Woessner, A. E., & Quinn, K. P. (2020). Skin structure–function relationships and the wound healing response to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Advances in Wound Care, 9(3), 127–143. https://doi.org/10.1089/wound.2019.1028
Cai, H., Wang, X., & Zhang, Y. (2023). Lycium barbarum ameliorates neural damage induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats. Frontiers in Bioscience – Landmark, 28(2), 38. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbl2802038
Chen, C. C., Wang, H. J., & Shih, H. C. (2019). The role of the hypodermis in cutaneous biology and disease. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 139(5), 984–990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2018.11.024
Chen, Y., Zhang, J., & Li, X. (2023). Lycium barbarum polysaccharide promotes tissue repair in a rat model of skin wound healing. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 305, 116123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.116123
Cheng, J., Zhou, Z. W., Sheng, H. P., He, L. J., Fan, X. W., He, Z. X., Sun, T., Zhang, X., Yang, R. J., & Zhang, L. (2015). An evidence-based update on the pharmacological activities and possible molecular targets of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 9, 33–78. https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S72892
de Oliveira, A. P., Franco, E. S., Rodrigues Barreto, R., Cordeiro, D. P., de Almeida, S. E., & Porto, E. A. (2020). Anti-inflammatory effect of a goji berry extract (Lycium barbarum) in rats submitted to inflammation by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, 63, e20190456. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4324-2020190456
Frykberg, R. G., & Banks, J. (2015). Challenges in the treatment of chronic wounds. Advances in Wound Care, 4(9), 560–582. https://doi.org/10.1089/wound.2015.0635
Kabashima, K., Honda, T., Ginhoux, F., & Egawa, G. (2019). The immunological anatomy of the skin. Nature Reviews Immunology, 19(1), 19–30. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-018-0084-5
Kolimi, P., Narala, S., & Nyavanandi, D. (2022). Novel approaches in wound healing and management: A review. Journal of Controlled Release, 344, 156–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.02.022
Larouche, J., Sheoran, S., Maruyama, K., & Martino, M. M. (2018). Immune regulation of skin wound healing: Mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets. Advances in Wound Care, 7(7), 209–231. https://doi.org/10.1089/wound.2017.0761
Lee, H. W., Kim, H., & Ryoo, S. B. (2021). Supplementation of non-fermented and fermented goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) juice on hepatic lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-fed rats. Applied Biological Chemistry, 64(1), 65. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13765-021-00642-1
Li, W., Zhou, Y., & Zhao, L. (2021). Gastroprotective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and C-phycocyanin on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 187, 501–509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.07.143
Liu, J., Zhang, X., & Wang, H. (2022). Lycium barbarum polysaccharide modulates gut microbiota to alleviate experimental colitis in rats. Frontiers in Immunology, 13, 930436. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.930436
Ogawa, R. (2017). Keloid and hypertrophic scars are the result of chronic inflammation in the reticular dermis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(3), 606. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18030606
Potterat, O. (2024). Lycium barbarum for health and longevity: A review of its functional bioactive components. Journal of Functional Foods, 112, 105987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2023.105987
Rodrigues, M., Kosaric, N., Bonham, C. A., & Gurtner, G. C. (2019). Wound healing: A cellular perspective. Physiological Reviews, 99(1), 665–706. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00067.2017
Schilrreff, P., & Alexiev, U. (2022). Chronic wound healing: Inflammation and beyond. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(5), 2674. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23052674
Stoyanova, S., Georgieva, M., & Teneva, D. (2023). Cardio- and nephroprotective effects of fractions isolated from Lycium barbarum (goji berry) in models of cardio- and nephrotoxicity in rats. Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 37(1), 123–130. https://doi.org/10.1080/13102818.2022.2155571
Tottoli, E. M., Dorati, R., Genta, I., Chiesa, E., Pisani, S., & Conti, B. (2020). Skin wound healing process and new emerging technologies for skin wound care and regeneration. Pharmaceutics, 12(8), 735. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12080735
Wang, Y., Zhao, H., & Liu, X. (2019). Protective effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on rats with renal ischemia–reperfusion injury. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 12(10), 12345–12353. https://e-century.us/files/ijcem/12/10/ijcem0094791.pdf
Xiao, J., Liong, E. C., Ching, Y. P., Chang, R. C., So, K. F., Fung, M. L., & Tipoe, G. L. (2013). Lycium barbarum polysaccharides protect rat liver from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-induced injury. Nutrition & Diabetes, 3(7), e81. https://doi.org/10.1038/nutd.2013.22
Xiao, J., Zhu, Y., & Liu, Y. (2019). A systematic review of potential therapeutic use of Lycium barbarum in liver disease. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019, 4615745. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4615745
Zhang, X., Li, Y., & Cheng, J. (2018). Protective effect of Lycium barbarum on renal injury induced by high-fat diet in rats. Pharmacognosy Magazine, 18(77), 152–158. https://phcog.com/article/sites/default/files/PhcogMag-18-77-152.pdf
Zhang, X., Yang, Y., & Zhang, Q. (2022). Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and capsaicin inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation in DSS-induced colitis rats. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2022, 8910612. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8910612