Safety of Lycium barbarum L.: more information needed COMMENT

The earliest use of Lycium barbarum L. (Goji fruits) as a medicinal plant was at around 2,300 years ago, and nowadays it is used as a medicinal food (Figure 1) [1, 2]. There have been some reports on the antifertility effects and fertility-promoting or aphrodisiac effects [3–5]. The famous Chinese herbalist Li Shizhen first recorded the pro-fertility efficacy of Lycium barbarum L. in Compendium of Materia Medica in the 16th century [6]. Lycium barbarum L. also has many other effects, such as the antioxidant function, anti-cytotoxicity, anti-fatty acid toxicity, neuroprotective and anticancer effects, and so on [7]. Lycium barbarum L. is rich in vitamins, zeaxanthin, carotenoid and other ingredients [8].