Search Results (28)

Lycium barbarum (L. barbarum), commonly known as goji berry, is a functional food recognised for its diverse phytochemical composition and health benefits, particularly in metabolic health and disease prevention. This review explores its phytochemistry, focusing on polysaccharides, carotenoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids, which contribute to its extensive biological activities. L. barbarum polysaccharides, the primary bioactive components, exhibit antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and glycaemic-regulating properties, making them promising candidates for managing obesity-related metabolic disorders. Carotenoids, particularly zeaxanthin, play a key role in ocular health, while polyphenols and alkaloids enhance antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective effects. The biological properties of L. barbarum span metabolic health, cardiovascular function, and glycaemic control, alongside neuroprotection and cancer prevention. Its prebiotic effects on gut microbiota modulation offer additional benefits in managing obesity and associated complications. Furthermore, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities support its role in alleviating oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, common in obesity and metabolic syndrome. Despite robust preclinical evidence, further studies are needed to validate its safety, efficacy, and long-term potential in human populations. This review highlights L. barbarum’s promising applications as a nutraceutical and therapeutic agent, particularly for metabolic and obesity-related health challenges. Full article

Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.), as a kind of combination of medicine and food, is rich in antioxidant components. However, the deep-processed products of wolfberry need to be developed to improve its added value. This study aimed to investigate the nutrients, active antioxidant ingredients, and liver-protective mechanism of mixed-culture fermented wolfberry vinegar (MFV). The results showed that MFV had significantly higher protein and significantly lower fat content than wolfberry juice before fermentation, indicating that MFV was a healthy product. The active ingredient content, which included total phenolics, total flavonoids, polysaccharides, betaine, and antioxidant activities, was significantly increased in MFV after mixed-culture fermentation. Moreover, MFV improved histopathological changes and reduced liver biochemical indicators in alcohol-treated mice, indicating the improvement of liver function. In addition, MFV effectively alleviated alcohol-induced liver injury by increasing the expression of alcohol metabolizing enzymes and inhibiting CYP2E1 activity. MFV regulated the equilibrium between pro-oxidant and antioxidant levels by downregulating pro-oxidant markers and upregulating antioxidant markers. Furthermore, MFV reduced the levels of inflammatory indexes by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. These results suggest that MFV is a healthy food for liver protection, which provides a strategy for deep-processed products of wolfberry. Full article

Oxidative stress is closely related to the occurrence and development of ischaemic stroke. Natural plant polysaccharides have potential value in inhibiting oxidative stress and preventing ischaemic stroke. Here, a novel neutral polysaccharide named LICP009-3F-1a with a Mw of 10,780 Da was separated and purified from Lycium barbarum L. fruits. Linkage and NMR data revealed that LICP009-3F-1a has the following backbone: →4)-β-D-Glcp-(1→6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, with a branched chain of β-D-Galp-(1→3)-β-D-Galp-(1→, α-L-Araf-(1→ and →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ connected to the main chain through O-3 of →3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→. X-ray and SEM analyses showed that LICP009-3F-1a has a semicrystalline structure with a laminar morphology. Thermal property analysis showed that LICP009-3F-1a is thermally stable. In vivo experiments suggested that LICP009-3F-1a could inhibit hypoxia-induced oxidative stress damage by eliminating ROS, reversing and restoring the activities of the antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, and GPx, and reducing the expression levels of the HIF-1α and VEGF genes. Blocking the apoptosis genes Bax and Caspase 3 and upregulating the expression of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2 protected PC12 cells from hypoxia-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that LICP009-3F-1a may have multiple potential uses in the treatment of IS. Full article

This review examines the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, and potential health benefits of goji berries (Lycium barbarum L.). Goji berries contain significant amounts of carbohydrates (46–87% dry weight), proteins (5.3–14.3% dry weight), and dietary fiber (3.63–16 g/100 g fresh weight). They are rich in micronutrients, including vitamin C (2.39–48.94 mg/100 g fresh weight) and potassium (434–1460 mg/100 g fresh weight). The berries’ unique polysaccharides, particularly Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs), exhibit molecular weights ranging from 10 to 2300 kDa. Flavonoids, such as quercetin and rutin (1.0–1.3 mg/g dry weight), and carotenoids, especially zeaxanthin (0.5–1.2 mg/g dry weight), contribute to the berries’ antioxidant properties. In vitro and animal studies have demonstrated various health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. However, more human clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings. The review also highlights the impact of geographical origin, cultivation practices, and processing methods on nutrient composition, emphasizing the need for standardization in research and commercial applications. Future research should focus on the bioavailability, metabolism, and potential synergistic effects of goji berry compounds. Full article

To detect the moisture of dried Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) berries nondestructively, a near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imager was used for experiments. NIR hyperspectral data were obtained and processed by standard normal variate (SNV) calculation using the MATLAB software v.R2016a. On the basis of the actual moisture of dried Goji berries, the predicted moisture was obtained based on the partial least squares (PLS) algorithm and a prediction model for the moisture of dried goji berries was established. It was found that the moisture of dried Goji berries was responsive to the NIR hyperspectral imager. The established prediction model could accurately predict the moisture of dried goji berries, and its R²-value was 0.9981. The results provide a theoretical basis for the design of non-destructive moisture-detecting equipment for dried Goji berries. Full article

Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) production in arid and semi-arid areas is drastically affected by the low utilization rate of soil and water resources and the irrational application of water and nitrogen fertilizers. Thus, this study explored a high-yielding, high-quality, and efficient irrigation and nitrogen regulation model to promote the production efficiency of wolfberry and rational utilization of water and land resources in arid and semi-arid areas. We compared and analyzed the effects of different soil water treatments (the upper and lower limits of soil water were estimated as the percentage of soil water content to field water capacity (θ_f), with the following irrigation regimen: adequate irrigation (W0, 75–85% θ_f), mild water deficit (W1, 65–75% θ_f), moderate water deficit (W2, 55–65% θ_f), and severe water deficit (W3, 45–55% θ_f)) and nitrogen levels (no nitrogen (N0, 0 kg·ha⁻¹), low nitrogen (N1, 150 kg·ha⁻¹), moderate nitrogen (N2, 300 kg·ha⁻¹), and high nitrogen (N3, 450 kg·ha⁻¹)) on the growth, physiology, and production of wolfberry. The results showed that water regulation, nitrogen application level, and their interaction significantly affected plant height and stem diameter growth amount (p < 0.05). Additionally, the relative chlorophyll content of wolfberry leaves first increased and then decreased with increasing nitrogen levels and water deficit. The average net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, and transpiration rate (T_r) reached the highest values in plants exposed to W0N2 (19.86 μmmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹), W1N1 (182.65 mmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹), W2N2 (218.86 μmol·mol⁻¹), and W0N2 (6.44 mmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) treatments, respectively. P_n, g_s, and T_r were highly correlated with photosynthetically active radiation and water vapor pressure difference (goodness-of-fit: 0.366–0.828). Furthermore, water regulation and nitrogen levels exhibited significant effects on the yield and water- (WUE), and nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) (p < 0.01), and their interactions exhibited significant effects on the yield, WUE, and nitrogen partial productivity of wolfberry plants (p < 0.05). Moreover, the contents of total sugar, polysaccharides, fats, amino acids, and proteins were the highest in W1N2, W1N2, W1N2, W2N3, and W0N2 treatments, respectively, which were increased by 3.32–16.93%, 7.49–54.72%, 6.5–45.89%, 11.12–86.16%, and 7.15–71.67%, respectively. Under different water regulations (except for the W3 condition) and nitrogen level treatments, the net income and input–output ratio of wolfberry were in the order W1 > W0 > W2 > W3 and N2 > N3 > N1 > N0. The TOPSIS method also revealed that the yield, quality, WUE, NUE, and economic benefits of wolfberry improved under the W1N2 treatment, suggesting that WIN2 might be the most suitable irrigation and nitrogen regulation model for wolfberry production in regions with scarce land and water resources such as the Gansu Province and areas with similar climate. Full article

The optimized cultivation process of wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) to maintain a consistently high and stable yield relies on the prolonged use of significant amounts of nitrogen fertilizers. However, this practice leads to increased production costs and various issues, such as soil pollution and compaction. To address these concerns, a three-year field trial was conducted involving different nitrogen application rates: N1 (20% nitrogen (N) reduction, 540 kg·hm⁻²), N2 (medium N, 675 kg·hm⁻²), and N3 (20% nitrogen increase, 810 kg·hm⁻²). The results showed that the inter-annual growth and development of wolfberry roots had two rapid growth peaks. In comparison with the N3 treatment, the root morphological characteristics index increased significantly under the N1 and N2 treatments. Among the different diameter classes, the most significant increase in fine root length, with an average diameter between 0.4 and 0.8 mm, occurred under the N1, N2, and N3 treatments, accounting for 50.6%, 50.92%, and 47.72% of the total annual growth of root length increments, respectively. Concerning the distribution of fine roots, the active layer depth extended under the N2 treatment suggesting that medium nitrogen application favored the longitudinal extension of fine roots. Leaf nitrogen content and the chlorophyll meter values (SPAD values) in the upper part of the plant, at the tip of shoots/branches, were the most sensitive indicators to changes in nitrogen application rates. These values increased significantly with higher nitrogen application amounts. Similarly, the contents of total sugar, betaine, and β-carotene increased with increasing nitrogen application rates, while the contents of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) and total flavonoids decreased. Finally, based on a comprehensive principal component evaluation, the rankings for root growth and plant development under various nitrogen application treatments were as follows: N2 (1.891) > N1 (0.002) > N3 (−1.894). The results showed that both the aboveground and belowground growth and development of wolfberry plants were most optimized under the N2 treatment. These findings provide a foundational reference for constructing good root morphology of wolfberry through cultivation practices such as nitrogen fertilizer management. Full article

The effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) and plasmon-activated water (PAW) against IFN-γ/TNF-α induced inflammation in human colon Caco-2 cells were investigated. Cells were divided into the control, induction, LBP treatment (100–500 μg/mL), and combination groups with PAW. Inflammation was induced 24 h with 10 ng/mL IFN-γ when cell confluency reached >90%, and various doses of LBP with or without PAW were treated for 3 h, and subsequently 50 ng/mL TNF-α was added for another 24 h to provoke inflammation. Combination of LBP with PAW significantly decreased the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8. Cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible NO synthase expression was attenuated in all LBP-treated groups with or without PAW. NLRP3 inflammasome and related protein PYCARD expression were inhibited by LBP at the highest dose (500 μg/mL). All doses of LBP alone significantly decreased p-ERK expression, but combination with PAW increased p-ERK expression compared to those without PAW. Additionally, 250 and 500 μg/mL of LBP with or without PAW inhibited procaspase-3/caspase-3 expression. Therefore, LBP possesses anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis by inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related protein. The combination with PAW exerts additive or synergistic effect on anti-inflammation. Full article

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the increased production of reactive species and reduced antioxidant activity, which can cause a variety of disturbances including ocular diseases. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are complex polysaccharides isolated from the fruit of L. barbarum, showing distinct roles in antioxidants. Moreover, it is relatively safe and non-toxic. In recent years, the antioxidant activities of LBPs have attracted remarkable attention. In order to illustrate its significance and underlying therapeutic value for vision, we comprehensively review the recent progress on the antioxidant mechanisms of LBP and its potential applications in ocular diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive neuroretinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, and diabetic cataract. Full article

The genus Lycium belongs to the Solanaceae family and comprises more than 90 species distributed by diverse continents. Lycium barbarum is by far the most studied and has been advertised as a “superfood” with healthy properties. In contrast, there are some Lycium species which have been poorly studied, although used by native populations. L. europaeum, L. intricatum and L. schweinfurthii, found particularly in the Mediterranean region, are examples of scarcely investigated species. The chemical composition and the biological properties of these species were reviewed. The biological properties of L. barbarum fruits are mainly attributed to polysaccharides, particularly complex glycoproteins with different compositions. Studies regarding these metabolites are practically absent in L. europaeum, L. intricatum and L. schweinfurthii. The metabolites isolated and identified belong mainly to polyphenols, fatty acids, polysaccharides, carotenoids, sterols, terpenoids, tocopherols, and alkaloids (L. europaeum); phenolic acids, lignans, flavonoids, polyketides, glycosides, terpenoids, tyramine derivatives among other few compounds (L. schweinfurthii), and esters of phenolic acids, glycosides, fatty acids, terpenoids/phytosterols, among other few compounds (L. intricatum). The biological properties (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic against some cancer cell lines) found for these species were attributed to some metabolites belonging to those compound groups. Results of the study concluded that investigations concerning L. europaeum, L. intricatum and L. schweinfurthii are scarce, in contrast to L. barbarum. Full article

Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.), as a kind of functional fruit, has various nutritional and bioactive components, which exhibit healthy benefits. However, wolfberry is not easy to preserve, and the intensive processing of wolfberry needs to be developed. In the present study, the changes in the phytochemical and bioactive compounds, as well as the antioxidant properties of wolfberry, were evaluated in the brewed processes. We found that the sugar contents were significantly decreased, and the total acids values were significantly increased during the fermentation processes. The sugar and fat contents were low in the wolfberry fruit vinegar after fermentation, which is of benefit to human health. In addition, amino acids were examined during the fermentation processes, and histidine, proline, and alanine were found to be the main amino acids in vinegar. The total phenolics and flavonoids contents were significantly increased by 29.4% and 65.7% after fermentation. 4-Hydroxy benzoic acid, 3-hydroxy cinnamic acid, and chlorogenic acid were the primary polyphenols in the wolfberry fruit vinegar. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of wolfberry fruit vinegar was significantly increased compared with that of wolfberry fruit after the fermentation processes. Polysaccharides and polyphenolics were strongly correlated with the antioxidant activity during the fermentation processes. The findings suggest that wolfberry fruit vinegar has a high antioxidant capability, and could be a beneficial food in the human diet. Full article

The preservation of cherry tomatoes is a challenge for farmers, sellers, and processors. In recent years, natural extracts of plants have been increasingly used for the preservation of fruits and vegetables. In this study, we investigated the effect of treatment with goji berry (Lycium barbarum) leaf extract on the postharvest freshness of cherry tomatoes, and we determined the active ingredients, antioxidant capacity, and antifungal activity of the extract. Goji leaf extracts were tested at different concentrations (0.2–1.0 g/L) to assess their effects on preserving the freshness of cherry tomatoes at 5 °C and 20 °C. The goji berry leaf extract was rich in polysaccharides, saponins, polyphenols, and other active ingredients (1.11–45.83 mg/g), and the antioxidant capacity and antifungal activity were outstanding. Treatments with 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 g/L of goji berry leaf extract at 20 °C helped to preserve tomato fruit, where 0.4 g/L was the most effective, followed by 0.2 and 0.6 g/L. However, 0.8 and 1.0 g/L had no effect. Treatment with 1.0 g/L of goji berry leaf extract at 5 °C effectively reduced the loss of quality of tomato fruit. This treatment maintained the firmness and color of the tomatoes and maintained the levels of nutrients such as vitamin C, total acids, and total soluble solids. The next most effective doses were 0.8 g/L and 0.6 g/L. Cherry tomatoes treated with goji berry leaf extract could be stored for 21 days at 20 °C and for 35 days at 5 °C. Compared with the control groups treated with distilled water and no treatment, the storage period was extended by 3–6 days at 20 °C and by 7–14 days at 5 °C. The results obtained in this study provide a theoretical basis for extending the storage period of cherry tomatoes using goji berry leaf extract and the development of natural preservatives as well as enhancing the utilization of germplasm resources. Full article

Aspirin causes gastrotoxicity and damaged epithelial defense via cyclooxygenase inhibition. C-phycocyanin (CPC) and Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP), an active ingredient of Spirulina platensis and wolfberry, respectively, exerted antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and/or immunoregulation. The actions of CPC and/or LBP on gastric damage induced by aspirin were explored in rat gastric mucosal RGM-1 cells. Gastric injury was performed by 21 mM aspirin for 3 h after the pretreatment of CPC and/or LBP (100–500 μg/mL) for 24 h in RGM-1 cells. Proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and apoptotic markers were examined by ELISA or gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. Cell viability and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were reduced by aspirin. Increased proinflammatory markers, caspase 3 activity, and Bax protein were observed in RGM-1 cells with aspirin treatment. Aspirin elevated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, while CPC and/or LBP increased IL-10, and attenuated proinflammatory markers, Bax protein, NF-κB, and the activation of ERK and JNK. Therefore, CPC and/or LBP possess anti-inflammation by restraining the activation of the ERK signaling pathway, and LBP decreases apoptosis by suppressing the JNK signaling pathway activation in gastric RGM-1 cells with aspirin-induced epithelial damage. Full article

Vascular retinopathy is a pathological change in the retina caused by ocular or systemic vascular diseases that can lead to blurred vision and the risk of blindness. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are extracted from the fruit of traditional Chinese medicine, L. barbarum. They have strong biological activities, including immune regulation, antioxidation, and neuroprotection, and have been shown to improve vision in numerous studies. At present, there is no systematic literature review of LBPs on vascular retinal prevention and treatment. We review the structural characterization and extraction methods of LBPs, focus on the mechanism and pharmacokinetics of LBPs in improving vascular retinopathy, and discuss the future clinical application and lack of work. LBPs are involved in the regulation of VEGF, Rho/ROCK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Nrf2/HO-1, AGEs/RAGE signaling pathways, which can alleviate the occurrence and development of vascular retinal diseases in an inflammatory response, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and neuroprotection. LBPs are mainly absorbed by the small intestine and stomach and excreted through urine and feces. Their low bioavailability in vivo has led to the development of novel dosage forms, including multicompartment delivery systems and scaffolds. Data from the literature confirm the medicinal potential of LBPs as a new direction for the prevention and complementary treatment of vascular retinopathy. Full article

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the main causative agents of mastitis in dairy cows. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has a variety of physiological effects as it has antioxidants, it is hypoglycemic, it has anti-aging properties, it is neuroprotective, immune boosting, and it has anti-inflammatory effects in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we examined whether LBP affects the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway via activation of the suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) in E. coli-induced primary bovine mammary epithelial cell (pbMEC) inflammatory responses. The experiment was designed with the control group (NC), cells were treated with E. coli for 6 h as the E. coli group (E. coli), and cells were pretreated with 100 μg/mL or 300 μg/mL of LBP for 24 h, followed by the addition of E. coli for 6 h as the E. coli + low level (E + LL) or E. coli + high level (E + HL) groups. The addition of LBP did not alter the cell viability of pbMEC in a dose-dependent assay. Pretreatment with LBP significantly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory genes (IL1B, MAPK14, COX-2, iNOS) and proteins (COX-2, IL-1β, TNF-α) in the cells challenged by E. coli as compared with the control group (p < 0.05). E. coli stimulation significantly increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in pbMEC, and decreased the antioxidants’ capacity with regard to decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC); however, pretreatment with LBP reversed the oxidative stress and inhibition of antioxidants in cells challenged by E. coli. Moreover, LBP reversed the upregulated expression of the components of the MAPK pathway (increased phosphorylation level of p38, JNK, and ERK), followed by E. coli stimulation. Consistently, cells exposed to E. coli strengthened the staining of p38, whereas pretreatment of LBP weakened the staining of p38 in cells challenged by E. coli. Notably, the expression of SOCS3 was increased by LBP added to the cells in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the level of decreased expression of proinflammatory factors (IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2) was higher in the E + LL group than in the E + HL group. These results indicate that LBP pretreatment is effective in the alleviation of E. coli-induced inflammatory and oxidative responses in pbMEC through activation of SOCS3 and depression of MAPK signaling. As such, this might help us to develop molecular strategies for mitigating the detrimental effects of clinical bovine mastitis. Full article