title: A review of the anticancer and immunomodulatory effects of Lycium barbarum fruit.
abstract: The anticancer effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have attracted the attention of the public vis-à-vis existing cancer therapies with various side effects. Lycium barbarum fruit, commonly known as Gou Qi Zi in China, is a potential anticancer agent/adjuvant. Its major active ingredients, L. barbarum polysaccharides (LBP), scopoletin and 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2βG), are found to have apoptotic and antiproliferative effects on cancer cell lines. Moreover, LBP also contributes to body's immunomodulatory effects and enhances effects of other cancer therapies. It is not known whether there are any undesirable effects. Further studies on its pharmacological mechanisms and toxicology could facilitate a safe usage of this TCM herb.
authors.affiliation: Food Safety and Technology Research Centre, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wai-Man
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Enoch
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Ching-Yee
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.forename: Yee-Ki
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jian-Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chun-Wai
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Robbie Yat-Kan
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Peter Hoi-Fu
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Shun-Wan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D032305:Lycium / Q000737:chemistry*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D028321:Plant Preparations