Fructus lycii: A Natural Dietary Supplement for Amelioration of Retinal Diseases

Fructus lycii (F. lycii) is an exotic berry-type fruit of the plant Lycium barbarum that is characterized by a complex mixture of bioactive compounds distinguished by their high antioxidant potential. F. lycii is used in traditional Chinese home cooking and in the Chinese Pharmacopeia as an aid to vision and longevity as well as a remedy for diabetes to balance yin and yang in the body for about two centuries. Although a myriad of bioactive compounds have been isolated from F. lycii, polysaccharides, carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolics represent the key functional components of F. lycii. F. lycii has been shown to exhibit a wide range of biological activities in experimental settings including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and neuroprotective effects. Despite its medicinal role dating back to the eighteenth century in the Far East and robust evidence of beneficial effects on ocular health and retinal diseases originating mainly from studies in animal models, the role of F. lycii in the clinical management of retinal diseases is yet to be established. This article comprehensively reviews the literature germane to F. lycii and retinal diseases with particular emphasis on age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa, which are commonly seen in clinical practice.

Automated summary

Fructus lycii, an exotic berry-type fruit of the plant Lycium barbarum, is known for its high antioxidant potential and has been used in traditional Chinese home cooking and medicine for centuries. Despite its wide range of biological activities like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, its role in clinical management of retinal diseases is yet to be established.