Potential of goji berries (lycium barbarum) fruits as natural antioxidant medicine

Lycium barbarum, a species of the Solanaceae family known as goji berries is attributed to various health benefits such as immune system, eye health and reduced cholesterol due to bioactive compounds. The research focused on L. barbarum fruits for their phytochemical and antioxidant property. Phytochemicals were extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol through the cold maceration method. The result shows that the highest percentage yield was methanol extract with 2.5%. Phytochemical screening affirmed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, phenols, flavonoids, and glycosides. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through DPPH assay. Methanol extract demonstrated strong radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 76.61 μg/mL. In conclusion, this study shows that the extracts of L. barbarum contain medicinally bioactive compounds and have the potential as an antioxidant agent(s) that may benefit human health.