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      Supercharging metabolic health with Lycium barbarum L.: A review of the therapeutic potential of this functional food for managing metabolic syndrome

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          Abstract

          Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common disorder involving a cluster of metabolic abnormalities, such as abdominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and atherogenic profile. MetS is characterized by an increase in oxidative stress and a chronic proinflammatory state, which are directly related to the development and progression of this pathology. It has been seen how a healthy lifestyle and good dietary practices are key to improving the different metabolic parameters and, therefore, play a fundamental role in reducing the risk of developing diabetes. The present review focuses on the research evidence related to the therapeutic properties of Lycium barbarum L. in MetS gathered in the last years. Several preclinical studies suggest that L. barbarum extracts are a good dietary supplement for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in people with MetS. This compound has been used for years in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of atrophic gastritis, problems related to the lungs, kidneys, and liver, and as a supplement for eye health. In addition, different in vitro and in vivo studies have been carried out that support the properties attributed to metabolites derived from L. barbarum, such as polysaccharides that have been shown diverse biological activities. In conclusion, L. barbarum extracts have multiple benefits to increase general well‐being and immune function. However, there are a limited number of studies related to effect of L. barbarum in MetS, but they demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of obesity, diabetes mellitus type 2, and prevention of diabetes mellitus type 2 complication.

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          Most cited references111

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          The Global Epidemic of the Metabolic Syndrome

          Metabolic syndrome, variously known also as syndrome X, insulin resistance, etc., is defined by WHO as a pathologic condition characterized by abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Though there is some variation in the definition by other health care organization, the differences are minor. With the successful conquest of communicable infectious diseases in most of the world, this new non-communicable disease (NCD) has become the major health hazard of modern world. Though it started in the Western world, with the spread of the Western lifestyle across the globe, it has become now a truly global problem. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is often more in the urban population of some developing countries than in its Western counterparts. The two basic forces spreading this malady are the increase in consumption of high calorie-low fiber fast food and the decrease in physical activity due to mechanized transportations and sedentary form of leisure time activities. The syndrome feeds into the spread of the diseases like type 2 diabetes, coronary diseases, stroke, and other disabilities. The total cost of the malady including the cost of health care and loss of potential economic activity is in trillions. The present trend is not sustainable unless a magic cure is found (unlikely) or concerted global/governmental/societal efforts are made to change the lifestyle that is promoting it. There are certainly some elements in the causation of the metabolic syndrome that cannot be changed but many are amenable for corrections and curtailments. For example, better urban planning to encourage active lifestyle, subsidizing consumption of whole grains and possible taxing high calorie snacks, restricting media advertisement of unhealthy food, etc. Revitalizing old fashion healthier lifestyle, promoting old-fashioned foods using healthy herbs rather than oil and sugar, and educating people about choosing healthy/wholesome food over junks are among the steps that can be considered.
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            The metabolic syndrome

            The metabolic syndrome is a common metabolic disorder that results from the increasing prevalence of obesity. The disorder is defined in various ways, but in the near future a new definition(s) will be applicable worldwide. The pathophysiology seems to be largely attributable to insulin resistance with excessive flux of fatty acids implicated. A proinflammatory state probably contributes to the syndrome. The increased risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease demands therapeutic attention for those at high risk. The fundamental approach is weight reduction and increased physical activity; however, drug treatment could be appropriate for diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk reduction.
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              Increased oxidative stress in obesity and its impact on metabolic syndrome.

              Obesity is a principal causative factor in the development of metabolic syndrome. Here we report that increased oxidative stress in accumulated fat is an important pathogenic mechanism of obesity-associated metabolic syndrome. Fat accumulation correlated with systemic oxidative stress in humans and mice. Production of ROS increased selectively in adipose tissue of obese mice, accompanied by augmented expression of NADPH oxidase and decreased expression of antioxidative enzymes. In cultured adipocytes, elevated levels of fatty acids increased oxidative stress via NADPH oxidase activation, and oxidative stress caused dysregulated production of adipocytokines (fat-derived hormones), including adiponectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, IL-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1. Finally, in obese mice, treatment with NADPH oxidase inhibitor reduced ROS production in adipose tissue, attenuated the dysregulation of adipocytokines, and improved diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis. Collectively, our results suggest that increased oxidative stress in accumulated fat is an early instigator of metabolic syndrome and that the redox state in adipose tissue is a potentially useful therapeutic target for obesity-associated metabolic syndrome.
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                Author and article information

                Contributors
                (View ORCID Profile)
                Journal
                Food Frontiers
                Food Frontiers
                Wiley
                2643-8429
                2643-8429
                March 2024
                January 10 2024
                March 2024
                : 5
                : 2
                : 420-434
                Affiliations
                [1 ] Facultad de Medicina Universidad del Azuay Cuenca Ecuador
                [2 ] Research Group in Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress and Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa) University of the Balearic Islands‐IUNICS Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca Spain
                [3 ] CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition) Instituto de Salud Carlos III Madrid Spain
                [4 ] Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepcion Concepción Chile
                [5 ] Scientific‐Technological Center for the Sustainable Development of the Coastline Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción Concepción Chile
                [6 ] Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy Sivas Cumhuriyet University Sivas Turkey
                [7 ] Institute for Medicinal Plant Research “Dr Josif Pančić”, Tadeuša Košćuška 1 Belgrade Serbia
                [8 ] Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University Cairo Egypt
                [9 ] Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy October University for Modern Science and Arts (MSA) 6th of October Egypt
                [10 ] Department of Pharmacognosy Tanta University, College of Pharmacy Tanta Egypt
                [11 ] Department of Pharmaceutical Botany Ankara University Faculty of Pharmacy Ankara Turkey
                [12 ] Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Bowen University Iwo Nigeria
                [13 ] Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics The University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
                [14 ] Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre for Healthy Living University of Concepción Concepción Chile
                Article
                10.1002/fft2.327
                3acb1d80-bbd7-433c-8226-6cd8b93cd674
                © 2024

                http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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