LYCIUM BARBARUM (GOJI BERRY) AND ITS EFFECTS IN HEALTH

Marcela Bueno1, Mariana Ricci Barion1, Sandra Maria Barbalho*1,2, Élen Landgraf Guiuer1,2

¹Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília, Av. Higino Muzzi Filho 1001, Marí lia 15525- 902, SP, Brazil.

²Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Technology of Marília (FATEC), Av. Castro Alves, 62, Marília 17506- 000, SP, Brazil.

ABSTRACT

Lycium barbarum or goji berry (or wolfberry) is a plant popularly known for its benefits to the health, including hypoglicemic effects, body weight control and as anti – cancer. The purpose of this review was to investigate the properties and medicinal applications of L.barbarum. Although there are still many characteristics that need to be studied about this plant, several benefic effects have been reported. Literature shows that there are several compounds in g ojy berry that may prevent oxidant and inflammatory process, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and obesity. We suggest that this plant should be more researched in order to evaluate the possibility of application in the pharmaceutical industry and to obtain enough information to consider validation for its medicinal use.

KEYWORDS: Lycium barbarum, oxidative stress, inflammation, weight control, hyperglycemia.

*This is a literature on the study of goji berry and antioxidants . You can click here to read the full text.

The post LYCIUM BARBARUM (GOJI BERRY) AND ITS EFFECTS IN HEALTH appeared first on NINGXIA UNION-SURE CO.,LTD.

Preventive effects of Goji berry on dextran-sulfate-sodium-induced colitis in mice

Kang Y¹, Xue Y¹, Du M², Zhu MJ³.

Abstract

Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) exerts immune modulation and suppresses inflammation in vitro and in vivo. We hypothesized that Goji berry had beneficial effects on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice through suppressing inflammation. Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were supplemented with a standard AIN-93G diet with or without 1% (w/w) Goji berry for 4 weeks. Then, colitis was induced by supplementing 3% DSS in drinking water for 7 days, followed by 7 days of remission period to mimic ulcerative colitis symptoms. Goji berry supplementation ameliorated DSS-induced body weight loss, diminished diarrhea and gross bleeding, and resulted in a significantly decreased disease activity index, as well as DSS-associated colon shortening. Moreover, 30% mortality rate caused by DSS-induced colitis was avoided because of Goji berry supplementation. Histologically, Goji berry ameliorated colonic edema, mucosal damage and neutrophil infiltration into colonic intestinal tissue in response to DSS challenge, which was associated with decreased expression of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, as well as inflammatory mediators interleukin-6 and cyclooxygenase-2. In conclusion, Goji supplementation confers protective effects against DSS-induced colitis, which is associated with decreased neutrophil infiltration and suppressed inflammation. Thus, dietary Goji is likely beneficial to inflammatory bowel disease patients as a complementary therapeutic strategy.

KEYWORDS:

DSS; Epithelium; Goji berry; Gut; Inflammation; Inflammatory bowel disease

*This is a literature on the study of goji berry and antioxidants . You can click here to read the full text.

The post Preventive effects of Goji berry on dextran-sulfate-sodium-induced colitis in mice appeared first on NINGXIA UNION-SURE CO.,LTD.

The protective effect of goji berry extract in ischemic reperfusion in testis torsion

Recep Dursun1 , Yılmaz Zengin1 , Ercan Gündüz1 , Mustafa İçer1 , Hasan Mansur Durgun1 , Mansur Dağgulli2 , İbrahim Kaplan3 , Ulaş Alabalık4 , Cahfer Güloğlu1 Departments of 1Emergency Medicine, 2Urology, 3Biochemistry, 4Pathology, Medical Faculty, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey Received October 14, 2014; Accepted January 21, 2015; Epub February 15, 2015; Published February 28, 2015

Abstract: This study investigated whether goji berry extract (GBE), a known antioxidant, reduces ischemic reperfusion injury when administered to rats exposed to experimental testis torsion. A total of 32 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized into 4 groups, including the control (sham), goji, torsion, and torsion-goji groups. The treatment groups received intraperitoneal GBE prior to torsion. The left testes of the animals were subjected to torsion via 5 hours of ischemia and 6 hours of reperfusion. TAC (total antioxidant capacity), TOS (total oxidant status) and OSI (oxidative stress index) levels were calculated. Approximately 5-μm-thick sections were stained with hematoxylineosin (H&E) and examined under a light microscope. Statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS 15 software package. The mean serum TAC level was significantly increased in Groups 2 and 4 compared with Groups 1 and 3 in biochemical analyses (for both P < 0.001). The mean serum TOS level was significantly increased in Group 3 compared with Groups 1, 2, and 4 (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.003, respectively). Comparison of the groups with regard to histopathological examination revealed that Group 4 exhibited a significantly higher rate of hemorrhage and congestion compared with Groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.038). The groups did not differ significantly with respect to degeneration. Ischemic reperfusion injury associated with testis torsion was reduced by the antioxidant effect of GBE. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to confirm the agent’s efficacy for this indication.

Keywords: Antioxidant, lycium, goji berry extract, testis torsion

*This is a literature on the study of goji berry and antioxidants . You can click here to read the full text.

The post The protective effect of goji berry extract in ischemic reperfusion in testis torsion appeared first on NINGXIA UNION-SURE CO.,LTD.

Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum): Composition and Health Effects – a Review

Bartosz Kulczyński*, Anna Gramza-Michałowska Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 31, 60–624 Poznań, Poland

Key words: goji berries, Lycium barbarum, bioactive compounds, antioxidants, polyphenols, health benefits

Abstract

Goji berries contain many nutrients and bioactive compounds which allowed to classify them as superfruits. A short description of the fruits is presented together with cultivation requirements. The chemical composition of the berries and their health-promoting properties are described later in this literature review. Based on the available data, their potentially beneficial application in dietary prevention of diseases of affluence, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, is elaborated. We also refer to the safety of Goji consumption in the context of ingredients potentially harmful for human health, allergic reactions and the interactions with other substances.

Conclusions

Goji berry is well-known in traditional Chinese medicine and has been utilized as an important element of a health-promoting diet for hundreds of years. Recently, there has been rapidly growing attention surrounding goji berries in the Western world. Health food stores provide a rich variety of Goji products, such as dried fruits, tea, beer, juice, sweets, musli and supplements. L. barbarum is a plant that could be cultivated in Europe. The main aim of this review was to gather and present state of the art data regarding the health-promoting properties of Goji fruits. Goji berry is a source of many bioactive compounds, characterized by high antioxidant potential. Goji fruits with a wide spectrum of biological effects have numerous implied health effects. Wolfberry may be an effective supplement in prophylaxis of diseases of affluence, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Goji is a safe food supplement, free from toxins; however, it can cause allergies; thus, the risks should be taken into consideration in individuals with food allergies, due to the high degree of cross-reactivity between wolfberry and peach and tomato. On the grounds of harmful herb-drug interactions that enhance drug performance, an anticoagulation therapy (warfarin) is a contra-indication to use Goji berry and any product containing wolfberry. The majority of published studies have used animal models in experiments. The results have been very optimistic and promising. However, additional research must be done with a greater number of experiments involving a larger number of animals, as well as experiments involving human subjects.

* This is a literature on the study of goji berry and antioxidants . You can click here to read the full text.

The post Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum): Composition and Health Effects – a Review appeared first on NINGXIA UNION-SURE CO.,LTD.

Probable Interaction Between Lycium barbarum (Goji) and Warfarin

Authors
Claudio A. Rivera M.D., M.P.H.,
Carol L. Ferro M.D., M.P.H.,
Adam J. Bursua Pharm.D.,
Ben S. Gerber M.D., M.P.H

Abstract

Lycium barbarum (also called goji berry), a Chinese herb used as a supplement for health benefits, is traditionally consumed by the Chinese in the form of a tea. Goji juice, a widely available beverage in the United States, also contains this herb. We describe a 71-year-old Ecuadorean-American woman who was taking warfarin and was hospitalized for a markedly elevated, indeterminate international normalized ratio (INR) (prothrombin time > 120 sec) after consumption of goji juice. She had undergone knee surgery approximately 3 months earlier at which time warfarin therapy was started. She reported no changes in dietary habits or lifestyle other than drinking goji juice for 4 days before hospitalization. On presentation to the emergency department, she described symptoms of epistaxis, bruising, and rectal bleeding. After discontinuation of the goji juice and warfarin, the patient was treated with phytonadione, and her INR decreased to 2.6 over 2 days. Application of the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale indicated a probable relationship (score of 6) between the patient’s elevated INR with associated bleeding and her concomitant use of L. barbarum and warfarin. Two other published reports have described similar interactions between warfarin and a tea containing L. barbarum. Patients should be educated about avoiding popular herbal drinks, such as goji juice, that contain L. barbarum while they are taking warfarin. In addition, clinicians should question patients about their use of herbal therapies and document such use in their medical records before prescribing drugs such as warfarin.

The post Probable Interaction Between Lycium barbarum (Goji) and Warfarin appeared first on NINGXIA UNION-SURE CO.,LTD.

High glucose-induced barrier impairment of human retinal pigment epithelium is ameliorated by treatment with Goji berry extracts through modulation of cAMP levels

BarbaraPavan, AntonioCapuzzo, GiuseppeForlani

Highlights

High glucose impairs tight junctions of human retinal pigment epithelial cells.
High glucose elevates intracellular cAMP levels in HRPE cells.
Barrier impairment correlates with cAMP accumulation in HRPE cells.
High glucose directly activates the intracellular soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC).
Goji berry extract and taurine reverse high glucose/sAC/cAMP disrupting barrier.

The post High glucose-induced barrier impairment of human retinal pigment epithelium is ameliorated by treatment with Goji berry extracts through modulation of cAMP levels appeared first on NINGXIA UNION-SURE CO.,LTD.

M.K.Song, N.K.Salam, Basil D.Roufogalis, T.H.W.Huang 

Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

Received 17 May 2011, Accepted 20 July 2011, Available online 27 July 2011.

Abstract

The peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a preventable microvascular diabetic complication that damages human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Taurine is abundant in the fruit of Lycium barbarum (Goji Berry), and is reportedly beneficial for diabetic retinopathy. However, the mechanism of its action is unknown. Hence, we have investigated the mechanism of action of an extract from L. barbarum on a model of diabetic retinopathy, the retinal ARPE-19 cell line, and identified the receptor function of taurine, an active component of L. barbarum (Goji Berry) extract, which is potentially responsible for the protective effect on diabetic retinopathy. We demonstrate for the first time that L. barbarum extract and its taurine component dose-dependently enhance PPAR-γ luciferase activity in HEK293 cell line transfected with PPAR-γ reporter gene. This activity was significantly decreased by a selective PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662. Moreover, L. barbarum extract and taurine dose-dependently enhanced the expression of PPAR-γ mRNA and protein. In an inflammation model where ARPE-19 cells were exposed to high glucose L. barbarum extract and taurine down-regulated the mRNA of pro-inflammatory mediators encoding MMP-9, fibronectin and the protein expression of COX-2 and iNOS proteins. The predicted binding mode of taurine in the PPAR-γ ligand binding site mimics key electrostatic interactions seen with known PPAR-γ agonists. We conclude that PPAR-γ activation by L. barbarum extract is associated with its taurine content and may explain at least in part its use in diabetic retinopathy progression.

Graphical abstract

Abbreviations
PPAR-γ, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ; LB, fruit from Lycium barbarum; RT-PCR, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; HEK, human embryonic kidney; ARPE-19, human retinal epithelial cell line; DR, diabetic retinopathy; RG, rosiglitazone; PG, 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2;

Keywords

Taurine
Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ
Diabetic retinopathy
Human retinal pigment epithelial cell

This is a literature on the study of goji berry and antioxidants . You can click here to read the full text.

The post Lycium barbarum (Goji Berry) extracts and its taurine component inhibit PPAR-γ-dependent gene transcription in human retinal pigment epithelial cells: Possible implications for diabetic retinopathy treatment appeared first on NINGXIA UNION-SURE CO.,LTD.

The post Goji berry fruit (Lycium spp.): antioxidant compound fingerprint and bioactivity evaluation appeared first on NINGXIA UNION-SURE CO.,LTD.

Bucheli, Peter*; Vidal, Karine*; Shen, Lisong†; Gu, Zhencheng*; Zhang, Charlie‡; Miller, Larry E.*; Wang, Junkuan*

Optometry & Vision Science: February 2011 – Volume 88 – Issue 2 – pp 257-262

Abstract

Purpose. Goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) is purported to benefit vision because of its high antioxidant (especially zeaxanthin) content, although this effect has not been demonstrated in high-quality human studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of daily supplementation with a proprietary milk-based formulation of goji berry, Lacto-Wolfberry (LWB), on macular characteristics and plasma zeaxanthin and antioxidant capacity levels in elderly subjects.

Methods. This was a double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in healthy elderly subjects (range, 65 to 70 years) receiving 13.7 g/d of LWB (n = 75) or placebo (n = 75) for 90 days. Subjects underwent direct ophthalmic examination to assess pigmentation and soft drusen count in the macula and a blood draw to measure plasma zeaxanthin level and total antioxidant capacity.

Results. The placebo group demonstrated hypopigmentation and soft drusen accumulation in the macula, whereas the LWB group remained stable. Both plasma zeaxanthin level and antioxidant capacity increased significantly in the LWB group, by 26% and 57%, respectively, but did not change in the placebo group. No product-related adverse events were reported in either group.

Conclusions. Overall, daily dietary supplementation with goji berry for 90 days increases plasma zeaxanthin and antioxidant levels as well as protects from hypopigmentation and soft drusen accumulation in the macula of elderly subjects. However, the mechanism of action is unclear, given the lack of relationship between change in plasma zeaxanthin and change in macular characteristics.

This is a literature on the study of goji berry and eye diseases. The paper was published in Optometry & Vision Science: February 2011 – Volume 88 – Issue 2 – PP 257-262. You can click here to read the full text

The post Goji Berry Effects on Macular Characteristics and Plasma Antioxidant Levels appeared first on NINGXIA UNION-SURE CO.,LTD.