Effects of Lycium barbarum:
1. Anti-fatty liver effects
The aqueous extract (20%, 8 ml/day by gavage) of Lycium barbarum from Ningxia has mildly inhibited the deposition of fats in the hepatocytes, and promoted the neo-natalization of hepatocytes in mice poisoned by carbon tetrachloride. The anti-fatty liver effect of the aqueous extract is also manifested in the prevention of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic dysfunction (using cholinesterase and transaminase activities as indicators). Such as to rats for a longer period of time (75 days) oral administration of Lycium barbarum aqueous extract or betaine, can elevate the level of phospholipids in the blood and liver; by carbon tetrachloride poisoning of rats, phospholipids in the liver, total cholesterol content is reduced, beforehand or at the same time to betaine or Lycium barbarum aqueous extract is elevated; at the same time on the BSP, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, cholinesterase test have improved the role of the test. The effect of wolfberry on lipid metabolism or anti-fatty liver, mainly due to the betaine contained therein, the latter plays a role in the body as a methyl supplier.
2. Choline-like effect
The aqueous extract of Lycium barbarum is injected intravenously, which can cause a decrease in blood pressure and respiratory excitation in rabbits; atropine or cut off the vagus nerve can inhibit this reaction. Betaine has no such effect, and is dilatory to rabbit ear blood vessels. Methanol, acetone, ethyl acetate and other extracts also have a mild hypotensive effect. Therefore, the above effects of wolfberry for the betaine other than the components caused.