Lycium barbarum (goji berry): A comprehensive review of chemical composition, bioactive compounds, health-promoting activities, and applications in functional foods and beyond

Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.), commonly known as Goji berry, has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and is renowned for its health-promoting properties. This review provides comprehensive analysis of goji berry, encompassing its historical origins, chemical composition, biological activities, and product applications. The cultivation of goji berries, primarily originating in China, has expanded globally recently due to increasing demand driven by their nutritional and medicinal value. Goji berries are rich in polysaccharides, carotenoids, alkaloids, phenyl amides and phenolic compounds, which contribute to their wide-ranging biological effects, such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-obesity, and hepatoprotective activities. Recent evidence, from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, highlights their potential in preventing and managing chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, the review explores the incorporation of goji berries into functional foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and livestock nutrition products and emphasize the need for rigorous safety and quality control.