Effects of Lycium barbarum on Modulation of Blood Vessel and Hemodynamics

The blood-vessel-related mechanism plays an important role in the development of human diseases, e.g., brain degeneration, ischemic cardiomyopathy, diabetes, and tumors. In this chapter, the effects of Lycium barbarum (wolfberry) on blood vessel and hemodynamics will be discussed. Meanwhile, the related molecular and cellular mechanism will also be reviewed using current knowledge based on our studies and recent publications in other fields. The animal experiments showed that L. barbarum had protective effects on retinal blood vessels through the protection of endothelial cells and pericytes. The related mechanisms include decreasing the Immunoglobulin G (IgG) leakage and strengthening tight junctions (TJ) between endothelial cells. L. barbarum could modulate the response of blood-vessel-associated glial cells to impact on the integrity of blood-barriers. L. barbarum could inhibit the proliferation of smooth muscle cells under the high concentration of glucose. L. barbarum also showed effects on regulating the expression of blood vessel activating factors to modulate the vasoconstriction, dilatation, and neovascularization, such as endothelin-1 (ET-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). To conclude, L. barbarum could remold the blood vessel and modulate hemodynamics by its effects on blood-vessel-related cells and activating factors.