Advance on alkaloids of<italic> Lycium</italic> genus

Natural products derived from medicinal and edible plants, such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, are a valuable source of potential drug candidates have attracted interest for their rich structural motifs diverse physiological activities. Therefore, the discovery new natural with unique structures bioactivity esculent resources has emerged promising approach research. In Solanaceae family, plants genus Lycium relatively abundant, containing about 80 species plants. Of these, seven three varieties found in China where L. barbarum L., chinense Mill., ruthenicum Murr. most common. Among them, L. Murr also major plant Northwest China. “Gou Qi Zi”, known Goji or berry, fruit L. barbarum L., which been used traditional Chinese herbal medicine functional food 2500 years. The earliest recorded mention these berries is oracle bone script (Jiaguwen) Shang Dynasty (1600−1040 BE). Cortex Lycii, root bark chinense barbarum, many pharmacological functions, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, immuno-modulatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, neuroprotective, anti-Alzheimer’s disease properties. Medical pharmaceutical knowledge regarding barbarum summarized Shennong’s Root Herbal Classic (Shennong bencao jing) isolated highly desired medicines contribute to longevity. Li Shizhen health tonic effects Compendium Materia Medica. Many researchers focused significant attention on Lycium genus recent years various chemical components isolated. Phytochemical studies revealed that genus Lycium possesses an abundance secondary metabolites, glycerogalactolipids, phenylpropanoids, coumarins, lignans, amides, anthraquinones, organic acids, terpenoids, sterols, steroids other small molecules trace elements. alkaloids considered be one main active ingredients. aim this review focus identification biological activity variety genus. Up 2021, at least 124 including 42 amide 31 spermine 17 nortropane 16 pyrrole 4 piperidine 5 imidazole 3 quinoline indole were reported different These can structures, fruits, bark, leaves, seeds, flowers. This lays solid foundation better understanding activities Lycium-derived compounds systematically basis phytochemical studies. information provides reference values should facilitate further investigation additional properties add development utilization the Lycium.