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.

Variation of Sweet Chemicals in Different Ripening Stages of Wolfberry Fruits / 中草药·英文版

Objective To evaluate the variation of sweet chemicals (sugars and betaine) in fruits of six species in genus Lycium L. i.e. Lycium truncatum, L. cylindricum, L. dasystemum, L. dasystemum var. rubricaulium, L. chinense, and L. barbarum harvested at three different ripening stages. Methods A simple and effective method based on UPLC-ELSD was developed for the simultaneous determination of two monosaccharides (glucose and fructose), two disaccharides (sucrose and maltose), one sugar alcohol (xylitol), and betaine in wolfberry fruits (goji berries) of genus Lycium L. Results The six species of wolfberry fruits harvested at the three different ripening stages were evaluated in sugars and betaine contents. Fructose and glucose were the predominant sugars in mature wolfberry fruits. Fructose, glucose, and betaine, as well as total sugar contents, increased continually over the ripening process. L. truncatum and L. dasystemum had higher contents of sugars and betaine than the other species. Conclusion UPLC-ELSD is a simple, reliable and effective method for analysis of the sweet chemicals in wolfberries. Wolfberry fruits at the different ripening stages were significant different in sweetness. L. truncatum and L. dasystemum could be the potential sources of wolfberry fruit sources.

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.

Composición química, valoración nutricional, satisfacción y aceptabilidade de bayas de goji (lycium barbarum l) y productos elaborados / Chemical composition, nutritional value, satisfaction and acceptability of goji berries (lycium barbarum l) and finished products / Composição química, valorização nutricional, satisfação e aceitabilidade de bagas de goji (lycium barba rum l) E produtos elaborados

Las bayas de goji son frutas de un color rojo intenso, aproximadamente del tamaño de una pasa de uva y con un sabor que podría asemejarse a una mezcla de arándanos y cerezas. Las bayas frescas tienen un aspecto similar,tanto en la forma como en el tamaño, a la de los tomates cherry. China es el principal proveedor de bayas de gojiy se cultiva mayoritariamente en la provincia de Ni ngxia. Se comercializan principalmente desecadas, pero en elmercado también se encuentran jugos, aceites, extractos, compotas, mermeladas o jaleas, barras de cereal,muesli, y una gran variedad de productos cosméticos. Se les atribuyen numerosas propiedades nutricionales, pero debe destacarse que muy pocas han sido comprobadas científicamente. Objetivos del trabajo: Estudiar las características nutri cionales y organolépticas de las bayas de goji y de productos alimenticios elabo-rados con ellas, compararlos con los mismos productos sin bayas. Cuantificar los macronutrientes y antioxidan-tes, realizar la valoración nutricional, y determinar la aceptabilidad y satisfacción de los alimentos elaborados. Metodología: Este estudio es descriptivo y asimismo, corresponde a un diseño mixto, ya que p resenta una etapa no experi-mental-transeccional-descriptiva y en otra etapa, el diseño es cuasi-experimental. Resultados y conclusiones: Los alimentos que se elaboraron exitosamente con y sin bayas de goji fueron barritas de cereal y yogur helado, que resultaron con características organolépticas satisfactorias. Los productos elaborados con bayas fueron losque mayor contenido de carbohidratos y prote ínas contenían. En el caso de los lípidos, no se observaron grandes diferencias entre los productos elaborados con y sin bayas. Todos los alimentos presentaron fibra alimentaria en su composición. En cuanto al contenido de compuestos fenólicos, los resultados evidenciaron claramentesu aumento en los alimentos...

Goji berries are intense red-colored fruitsand approximately the size of a raisin. Its taste could be described as a combination of blueberries and cherries.Fresh goji berries are similar in form as well as in size tocherry tomatoes. China is the main supplier of goji berries, which are mostly harvested in the province of Ningxia. They are primarily marketed as dried fruits, but you can also find juices, oils, extracts, compotes, jams or jellies, cereal bars, muesli and a great variety of cosmetic products. Many nutritional properties are attributed to them, but it is worth noting that only a few of them have been proven scientifically. Objectives: To study the nutritional and sensory propertiesof goji berries and of food products made with them, and to compare these products with those that don't contain goji berries. To quantify the macronutrients and antioxidants, evaluate the nutritional value and determine theacceptability and satisfaction of the finished products. Methodology: This is a descriptive study with a mixed design, since it combines a non-experimental, descriptive and transactional phase with a quasi experimental phase. Results and conclusions: The foods that were successfullymade with and without goji berries were cereal bars and frozen yogurt, resulting in satisfactory sensory properties.The products made with goji berries had a higheramount of carbohydrates and proteins. As regards lipids, there were no significant differences between the products made with and without goji berries. All products had dietary fiber in their composition. Concerning the content ofphenolic compounds, the results clearly showed an increase of them in the foods made with goji berries. The results ofthe microbiological analysis of the frozen yogurt withand without goji berries were found to be within the microbiological criteria established by the Argentine Food Cod...

As bagas de goji são frutas de cor vermelha intensa, aproximadamente do tamanho de uma uva passa e com um sabor que poderia assemelhar-se ao de uma mistura de blue berry e cerejas. As bagas frescas têm um aspecto similar, tanto na forma como no tamanho, às do tomate cereja. A China é o principal fornecedor de bagas de goji e são cultivadas em sua maioria na p rovíncia de Ningxia. São comercializadas principalmente dessecadas, mas no mercado também se encontram sucos, óleos, extratos, compotas, marmeladas, geleias barra de cereal, musli e uma grande variedade de produtos cosméticos. São atribuídas a elas numerosas propriedades nutricionais, mas é preciso ressaltar que muito poucas foram comprovadas cientificamente. Objetivos do trabalho: Estudar as características nutricionais e organolépticas das bagas de goji e de produtos alimentícios elaborados com elas compará-los com os mesmos produtos sem bagas. Quantificar os macronutrientes e antioxidantes, realizar a valorização nutricional, e determinar a aceitabilidade e satisfação dos alimentos elaborados. Metodologia: Este estudo é descritivo e também, corresponde a um desenho misto, já que apresenta uma etapa não experimental-transversal-descritiva e em outra etapa, o desenho é quase experimental. Resultados e conclusões:Os alimentos que foramelaborados com sucesso com e sem bagas de gofi foramas barrinhas de cereais e iogurte gelado, que resultaram com característica organolépticas satisfatórias. Os produtos elaborados com bagas foram os que apresentaram maior conteúdo de carboidrato e proteínas. No caso dos lipídios, não foram observadas grandes diferenças entre os produtos elaborados com e sem bagas. Todos os alimentos apresentaram fibra alimentar em sua composição. Quanto ao conteúdo de compostos fenólicos, os resultados evidenciaram claramente o seu aumento nos alimentos com bagas de gojitanto o elaborado com bagas como sem elas, estavam...

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.