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†These authors contributed equally.
Ischemic stroke and cranial radiotherapy may induce brain inflammatory response,
oxidative stress, apoptosis and neuronal loss, and impairment of neurogenesis.
Lycium barbarum has anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-aging
properties, may produce both neuroprotective and radioprotective effects. In this
narrative review paper, we described the neuroprotective effect of Lycium
barbarum in different animal models of experimental ischemic stroke and limited
studies in irradiated animal models. Relevant molecular mechanisms are also
summarized. It has been shown that in experimental ischemic stroke models, Lycium
barbarum produces neuroprotective effects by modulating neuroinflammatory factors
such as cytokines and chemokines, reactive oxygen species, and neurotransmitter
and receptor systems. In irradiation animal models, Lycium barbarum prevents
radiation-induced loss of hippocampal interneurons. Given its minimal
side-effects, these preclinical studies suggest that Lycium barbarum may be a
promising radio-neuro-protective drug that can be used as an adjunct treatment to
radiotherapy for brain tumor and in the treatment of ischemic stroke. At
molecular levels, Lycium barbarum may regulate PI3K/Akt/GSK-3