Therapeutic potential of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on diabetes and its associated complications: a narrative review

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a complex metabolic disorder with severe complications, has been established to impose a heavy burden on patients and medical systems globally. Furthermore, it has been reported that contemporary therapeutic approaches or medications may not effectively manage DM. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), a bioactive compound isolated from Lycium barbarum L. fruits, was shown to improve glycolipid parameters and mitigate glucotoxicity-induced target organ damage, making it a promising multifunctional hypoglycemic agent. Here, based on basic and clinical studies conducted over the past 20 years, we comprehensively review the potential benefits and molecular mechanisms of LBP in preventing and combating DM and its chronic complications. Our analysis revealed that LBP can reduce intestinal glucose digestion and absorption, improve glycolipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity, protect pancreatic β -cell function, inhibit oxidative stress (OS) and inflammatory responses, and regulate gut microbiota (GM), thus alleviating DM. It also exhibited significant pharmacological value in addressing the critical pathological mechanisms underlying DM-related complications. Despite the promising preclinical evidence, further exploration of LBP’s bioavailability, toxicology, structure–activity, and dose-effect relationships would still be required before clinical translation studies. We hope that our findings will lay a proper therapeutic and molecular foundation for future LBP-related research and product development in relation to treating DM and its associated complications.