Influence of Lycium barbarum Extract Intake on Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the effects of Goji Berry extract (GB, Lycium barbarum) gavage administration on liver tissue oxidative stress in Wistar rats as well as to identify and quantify the content of the major bioactive compounds of the fruit. Four diets were applied: SW - standard diet + water; SG - standard diet + Goji Berry extract (125 mg/kg of animal); PW - palatable diet + water; PG - palatable diet + Goji Berry extract (125 mg/kg of animal). Results showed a significant increase in catalase enzyme activity in the liver of rats treated with GB and also in those intaking the palatable diet without GB when compared to the SW group. An increased mRNA expression of this enzyme in the same tissue and groups was also verified. Regarding lipid peroxidation, the GB extract produced a significant decrease in the oxidation state in the SG and PG groups. The results also showed a significant amount of bioactive compounds in GB extract.

Assessment of an anti-ageing structured cosmetic formulation containing goji berry

Based on previous studies, it has been found that goji berry (GB), popularly known as a 'miracle fruit', has excellent antioxidant potential and can be used in the treatment of skin disorders associated with ageing. This study aimed to incorporate GB into a structured cosmetic in order to optimise its penetration. Stability studies of the formulation, determination of the antioxidant activity of the extract and of the formulation, rheological measurements, SAXS, polarised light microscopy and bioadhesion analyses were performed. The results indicated the antioxidant activity of the extract, which can be incorporated into an emulsified cosmetic formulation. The emulsified formulation containing the extract remained stable, even after being submitted to thermal and luminous stresses for 30 days. In addition, rheological tests revealed that the addition of the GB soft extract reduced the viscosity of the formulation, increasing thixotropy and deformation. These systems were characterised by SAXS as a lamellar phase, which was confirmed by polarised light microscopy. These highly organised structures indicate their excellent stability. In vitro bioadhesion experiments revealed that these formulations exhibited skin adhesion strength statistically similar to commercial anti-ageing formulation. These results suggest that this formulation has excellent potential to be used as a topical treatment for ageing.

Advances in research on relationships among Lycium species and origin of cultivated Lycium in China / 中国中药杂志

The Lycium genus consists of consist of 7 species and 3 variety which are main distributed in Northwest region in China, the cultivated Goji berry appeared about 1 000 years ago. The phylogeny of the wild Goji berry and the domestication of cultivated Goji berry are important scientific and practical value due to the medicinal and economic value. In this paper, a new advances achieved in studies on the phylogeny of wild Goji berry is summarized. The origin of cultivated Goji berry includes when, where, how and ancestral specie were reviewed. The current situation of cultivation and existing problems were summarized. We considered that through mutations and artificial selections, wild ancestors were domesticated to current cultivar groups. To find direct evidence for the origin of cultivated Goji berry, we must rely on genetic analysis in addition to morphological characters. To make full use of the Goji berry germplasm resources, the investigation and mining on wild Goji berry resource should be strengthened in the future.

Atividade antioxidante, composição centesimal e rotulagem de frutos desidratados de goji berry (Lycium barbarum L) comercializados no municipio de Natal ­ RN / Antioxidant activity, centesimal composition and labeling of dehydrated fruits of goji berry (Lycium barbarum L) commercialized in the municipality of Natal - RN

O goji berry tem sido amplamente utilizado em países Asiáticos para fins medicinais e como alimento funcional. O fruto apresenta uma vasta alegação terapêutica e apelo comercial, a crescente apreciação em virtude da prevenção de várias enfermidades, tem levado ao consumo de forma indiscriminada no Brasil. Diante desta problemática, esta pesquisa buscou comparar o valor nutricional do goji berry desidratado, de três marcas vendidas no comercio do município de Natal - RN, investigar as características químicas, capacidade antioxidante total (CAT) e compostos fenólicos dessas marcas e verificar se seus rótulos disponibilizavam as informações nutricionais coerentes com os resultados obtidos, conforme é exigido pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). Tratou-se de um estudo experimental com delineamento transversal, realizado em maio e junho de 2014. Foram utilizados os métodos oficiais de análise para determinação de umidade, cinzas, proteínas, lipídeos e para carboidratos foi realizado por diferenciação. A determinação da CAT baseou-se na redução de Molibdênio+6 a Molibdênio+5 pela amostra teste, e a presença de compostos fenólicos por método espectrofotométrico. Com relação à composição centesimal e comparação com o rótulo, para os teores de proteínas, marca A: 11,90%± 1,01, B: 13,90%±0,19, e marca C: 13,50%±0,83. Em relação aos teores de lipídeos, apenas a marca A estava em desacordo com seu rótulo, nas marcas B e C não houve diferenças. Para fibras, apenas a marca A demonstrou diferença significativa do seu respectivo rótulo. Pode-se afirmar que o fruto contém relevante capacidade antioxidante total e compostos fenólicos totais.

The goji berry has been widely used in Asian countries for medicinal purposes and as a functional food. The fruit has a wide therapeutic and commercial appeal claim, the growing appreciation in view of preventing various diseases has led to the use indiscriminately in Brazil. In view of this problem, the research aimedto compare the nutritional value of goji berry dehydrated, three brands sold in of Natal/RN, investigated the chemical, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and phenolic compounds, such marks and it was verified that their labels, provide what the nutritional information consistent with results as required by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). This was an experimental crosssectional study, conducted in May and June 2014. We used the analysis of official methods for determination of moisture, ash, protein, lipids and carbohydrates was conducted by differentiation. The determination of CAT was based on the reduction Molybdenum +5 to Molybdenum + 6 to the test sample, and the presence of phenolic compounds by the spectrophotometric method. With respect to composition and comparison withthe label for the content of proteins, brand A: 11.90 ± 1.01%, B: 13.90% ± 0.19, and brand C: 13.50% ± 0,83. Regarding lipid levels, only the A mark was at odds with its label, the marks B and C were similar. For fibers, only the A mark showed a significant difference in their respective label. One can say that the fruit contains relevant total antioxidant capacity and total phenolic compounds.

A search for Goji Berry: Lycium Barbarum in Bhutan and its relative.

The Goji Berry flourished in the valleys of the Himalayas especially Tibet for thousands of years and have been the secret of longevities of the people who ate them. Some internet sources also report that wolfberries have been used in traditional Chinese Medicine for at least 2,000 years. Whatever it is, one thing is clear that the Goji Berry is known in Asia as an extremely nutritious food and have been extensively eaten raw, consumed as juice or wine, brewed into an herbal tea or prepared as a tincture, eaten as salads and used widely in other culinary preparations. Its leaves are made into tea. The berries are believed to enhance immune system function, improve eyesight, protect liver, boost sperm production and improve circulation, among other good health effects. Goji Berry root bark is also good for inflammation and some types of skin diseases. The Goji Berry was first reported to grow in Tibet but its habitat has been successfully duplicated and now it is propagated popularly in many countries like USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan and primarily in Tibet and China. Since Bhutan also falls within Himalayan region, it was suspected that the same species must have been dwelling here too. Because the berry is highly nutritious, it comes with many medicinal uses, and has high economic value. ITMS looked for its possible whereabouts in Bhutan. The search, although didn’t yield any positive findings, a close relative of Goji Berry was found growing in Punakha. This is called Lycium armatum. This paper discusses about the search for Goji Berry and its literature findings.