Evaluation of the antiinflammatory hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of Lycium chinense from Taiwan.

The relationship between pharmacological and antioxidant activity of the roots, aerial parts and fruits gathered from Lycium chinense were investigated in this study. The extracts of L. chinense showed anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan induced rat paw edema and CCl(4)-induced liver injury. Lycium chinense also exhibited antioxidant effects in FeCl(2)-ascorbic acid - induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenates. Moreover, the free radical scavenger effect of L. chinense was demonstrated using electron spin resonance (ESR) and a spin-trapping technique. Based on these findings, the pharmacological of L. chinense possibly involves mechanisms related to free radical scavenger activity.