Objective:To study the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on lipid metabolism and oxygen free radicals in hyperlipidemic rats. Method: Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal control group

high-lipid model group

LBP high

medium and low-dose group and positive control group. The rat model of hyperlipidemic was established by high-fat diet feeding. After 4 weeks

the rats were given with LBP (80

40

20 mg·kg-1) and simvastatin 2 mg·kg-1. At the end of 4 weeks

the abdominal aortic blood was collected and determined total cholesterol (TC)

triglyceride (TG)

low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)

high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)

superoxide dismutase (SOD)

malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Result: Compared with hyperlipidemia model group

serum TC

TG

LDL-C level in each treatment group decreased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01)

HDL-C significantly increased (P<0.05); SOD and GSH-Px activity significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01)

MDA levels decreased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: LBP could adjust the level of lipid metabolism of rat model of hyperlipidemia

inhibit the damage from oxygen free radicals

prevent lipid peroxidation

and delay atherosclerotic formed.