The anti-aging activity of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide extracted by yeast fermentation: In vivo and in vitro studies

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is an important active substance in Lycium barbarum. In this study, LBP was extracted by the hot water method and yeast fermentation method to obtain products called LBP-W and LBP-Y, respectively. Both LBPs have a strong ability to scavenge DPPH, hydroxyl, and superoxide anion free radicals and have a total antioxidant capacity. Both LBPs prolong the lifespan of C. elegans under normal conditions, oxidative stress and heat stress and do not affect fertility, LBPs could prolong the lifespan of C. elegans by upregulating the expression of daf-16, sod-3 and hsp-16.2 genes, and LBP-Y is more efficacious. The molecular weight of the LBPs was characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and the results showed that LBP-Y is smaller and more uniform than LBP-W. The skin penetration experiment showed that the absorption effect of LBP-Y is better than that of LBP-W. These lines of evidence suggest that the yeast fermentation extraction of LBP produces better antioxidant and anti-aging effects than those obtained with the traditional hot water extraction, which is more suitable for obtaining raw materials with anti-aging functions that can potentially be used in the food and cosmetic industries.