PMID: 

Food Chem Toxicol. 2019 Nov ;133:110798. Epub 2019 Aug 29. PMID: 31473340

Abstract Title: 

Cytoprotective effects of carotenoids-rich extract from Lycium barbarum L. on the beauvericin-induced cytotoxicity on Caco-2 cells.

Abstract: 

In this work, the cytotoxicity of Beauvericin (BEA), lutein (LUT), zeaxanthin (ZEAX) and goji berries extract (GBE) rich in carotenoids, was investigated, as well as cytoprotective effects of these carotenoids against BEA induced-cytotoxicity on Caco-2 cells. Cytotoxicity was carried out using MTT and protein content (PC) assays during 24 and 48 h of exposure. Only BEA showed cytotoxic effect obtaining a reduction in cell proliferation range from 6.5 to 92.8%. Simultaneous combination of LUT and ZEAX with BEA slightly increased cell proliferation compared to BEA tested alone. LUT, ZEAX and GBE showed cytoprotective effects against cytotoxicity induced by BEA on Caco-2 cells. Pre-treatment assays showed the highest cytoprotection effect at the highest dose of BEA assayed (2.5 μM) in 29%, 31% and 35% for LUT, ZEAX and LUT + ZEAX, respectively; GBE showed a cytoprotection of 20%, for the same dose of BEA. The interaction between LUT, ZEAX and BEA studied by means of CI-isobologram method showed a synergism and antagaonism effect for all the combinations tested. These findings highlight that food containing high level of carotenoids, as goji berries, could contribute to reduce the toxicological risk that natural contaminant as BEA mycotoxin in diet can produce to the humans.

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PMID: 

J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Feb 10 ;248:112357. Epub 2019 Nov 3. PMID: 31693919

Abstract Title: 

Pro-inflammatory cytokines serve as communicating molecules between the liver and brain for hepatic encephalopathy pathogenesis and Lycium barbarum polysaccharides protection.

Abstract: 

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gogi berry is a traditional food supplement and medical herbal which has been widely used in Eastern Asian countries. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) are the major active components of Gogi berry and have been proved to possess a lot of biological activities.AIM OF THE STUDY: We aimed to delineate the protective effect and mechanism of LBP on hepatic encephalopathy (HE).MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the protective mechanism of LBP in a thioacetamide (TAA, intraperitoneally injected, 400 mg/kg) induced acute HE mice model. Key phenotypes of clinical HE were phenocopied in the mice model, including high mortality, severe hepatic histology injury, increased hepatic oxidative stress, apoptosis, enhanced circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and ammonia, suppressed tryptophan hydroxylase activity, and deficits in locomotor activity.RESULTS: The pathological alterations were effectively ameliorated by the oral administration with LBP (5 mg/kg, oral gavage, everyday), which were mediated by regulating MAPK pathways in both the liver and brain. Knockout of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α or IL-6 effectively ameliorated impaired mice locomotor activity and MAPK activation in the brain. In an in vitro TNF-α-, IL-6-, or ammonia-induced microglia damaged cell model, cell injuries were evidently protected by the co-administration with LBP (50 μg/ml).CONCLUSION: LBP ameliorated the hepatic/brain injuries and impaired locomotor activities in a HE mice model. Pro-inflammatory cytokines may serve as communicating molecules linking the liver and brain for the HE pathogenesis, partly through MAPK regulation.

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PMID: 

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019 ;2019:6379493. Epub 2019 Sep 10. PMID: 31583041

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Health and Aging ofDepend on.

Abstract: 

As the global population ages, searching for drugs and functional foods which can slow down the aging process has attracted a number of researchers. In this paper, the Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) extracted from Lycium barbarum was characterized and the effects of LBP on the aging and health ofwere studied. Results showed that LBP can prolong the lifespan, improve the abilities to withstand environmental stress, enhance reproductive potentials, and maintain muscle integrity of. By using genetically mutatedstrains, RNAi gene silencing, and measuring the mRNA expression level, it was demonstrated that the lifespan ofwas extended by LBP mainly through,, and. The present study might provide a basis for further study of LBP as a food or drug to interfere with aging and reduce the incidence of age-related diseases.

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PMID: 

Int J Biol Macromol. 2019 Nov 9. Epub 2019 Nov 9. PMID: 31715236

Abstract Title: 

Polysaccharides from Lycium barbarum ameliorate amyloid pathology and cognitive functions in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Abstract: 

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common degenerative disease of the central nervous system. It is associated with abnormal accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, impaired neurogenesis, and damaged cognitive functions. We have known for a long time that natural compounds and their derivatives have gained increasing attention in AD drug research due to their multiple effects and inherently enormous chemicals. In this study, we will demonstrate that polysaccharides from L. barbarum (LBP1), a traditional natural compound, can reduce Aβ level and improve the cognitive functions in APP/PS1 transgenic mouse. LBP1 can enhance neurogenesis as indicated by BrdU/NeuN double labeling. Furthermore, it can restore synaptic dysfunction at hippocampus CA3-CA1 pathway. Additionally, in vitro cell assay indicates that LBP1 may affect Aβ processing. In conclusion, our study indicates that LBP1 might be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of AD against multiple targets that include synaptic plasticity, Aβ pathology and neuropathology.

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PMID: 

Biomed Pharmacother. 2020 Jan ;121:109591. Epub 2019 Nov 13. PMID: 31733576

Abstract Title: 

Prebiotic, immuno-stimulating and gut microbiota-modulating effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide.

Abstract: 

The present study was done to evaluate the prebiotic effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), its effect on murine fecal microbiota composition and innate immune response. Results showed that LBP supports the growth of selective probiotic bacteria with a maximum of 8.23 (log10 cfu/mL) and 6.62 (log10 cfu/mL) for Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum respectively. In vivo studies revealed that the administrations of LBP to mice resulted in an increase in the abundance of the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, while reducing the ratio of the phylum Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, the administration of LBP stimulated the emergence of some potential probiotic genera (Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, and Prevotellaceae). The concentrations of TGF-β and IL-6 in serum and sIgA in the colon content were enriched significantly after LBP administrations in mice. The thymus index and spleen index of mice treated with LBP displayed significant difference compared to the control group (P 

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PMID: 

Biomed Pharmacother. 2020 Jan ;121:109559. Epub 2019 Nov 14. PMID: 31734581

Abstract Title: 

Lycium barbarum L. leaves ameliorate type 2 diabetes in rats by modulating metabolic profiles and gut microbiota composition.

Abstract: 

The leaf of Lycium barbarum L. (LLB) has been widely used as a tea, vegetable, and herb in China and Southeast Asia for centuries; this is because of the hypoglycemic effect it has, but the mechanism behind this effect is still unclear. In this study, a type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) rat model, induced by a high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) injections, was adopted. The biochemical index was determined and the histopathological and metabolomics analyses of serum and urine and 16S rDNA sequencing of the gut microbiota were performed. We evaluated the hypoglycemic effects and the mechanism of action of the water extract from LLB, which contained neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and rutin (up to 6.06%). The relationships between biochemical indexes, serum and urine metabolites, and gut microbiota were analyzed. The results showed that the LLB extract could noticeably modulate the levels of blood glucose and lipids in diabetic rats as well as repair injuries in livers, kidneys and pancreas. The changes in serum and urine metabolites caused by T2DM were reversed after the administration of LLB; these changes were found to mainly be correlated with the following pathways: nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and purine metabolism. Sequencing of the 16S rDNA from fecal samples showed that the LLB extract could reverse the gut microbiota dysbiosis that T2DM had induced. Therefore, we conclude that T2DM, which altered the metabolic profiles and gut microbiota, could be alleviated effectively using the LLB extract.

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PMID: 

Am J Transl Res. 2019 ;11(10):6304-6315. Epub 2019 Oct 15. PMID: 31737184

Abstract Title: 

Protective effects of lycium barbarum polysaccharides on blood-retinal barrier via ROCK1 pathway in diabetic rats.

Abstract: 

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) is commonly known as a traditional Chinese medicine, which has protective effects against diabetic complications in clinic, such as diabetic retinopathy (DR). Previous studies have revealed that Rho/ROCK pathway play an important role in DR development. However, the mechanism between LBP and DR remains unknown. This study aims to explore the clear mechanism of the protective effect of LBP in diabetic retinopathy. In this study, streptozocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg) was administered for diabetic rats modeling. Weight, blood glucose levels and blood lipid were measured to assess the metabolic changes by LBP on diabetic rats. Evans blue (EB) extravasation was determined to assess blood-retinal barrier (BRB) disruption. Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry assay were applied for retina morphology exploration. The membranous disks of retina were examined by transmission electron microscope. Further, high glucose condition was induced in choroidal-retinal endothelial cells (RF/6A). Western blotting was performed for P-Occludin, ROCK1 and P-MLC protein expression. The results indicated that the blood glucose levels, blood lipid and EB infiltration capacity were decreased while the weight was increased in LBP-treated diabetic rats compared with model rats. Moreover, LBP could thicken the overall retina, prevent the disturbance of photoreceptor cell membranous disks and inhibit pathological angiogenesis in diabetes. In addition, the decreased expression of P-Occludin and increased expression of RhoA-associated protein kinase (ROCK) or phosphorylated myosin light chain (P-MLC) were observed in retinal tissue of diabetic rats and high glucose induced by RF/6A cells, which could be rescued by LBP and/or Fasudil. LBP has the protective effects on blood-retinal barrier by regulating the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in diabetic rats. LBP may be served as a Rho/ROCK inhibitor for the treatment of DR.

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PMID: 

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019 Nov 1 ;60(14):4606-4618. PMID: 31756254

Abstract Title: 

Posttreatment Intervention With Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides is Neuroprotective in a Rat Model of Chronic Ocular Hypertension.

Abstract: 

Purpose: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) against chronic ocular hypertension (OHT) in rats and to consider if effects differed when treatment was applied before (pretreatment) or during (posttreatment) chronic IOP elevation.Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (10-weeks old) underwent suture implantation around the limbus for 15 weeks (OHT) or 1 day (sham). Four experimental groups were studied, three OHT groups (n = 8 each) treated either with vehicle (PBS), LBP pretreatment or posttreatment, and a sham control (n = 5) received no treatment. LBP (1 mg/kg) pre- and posttreatment were commenced at 1 week before and 4 weeks after OHT induction, respectively. Treatments continued up through week 15. IOP was monitored twice weekly for 15 weeks. Optical coherence tomography and ERG were measured at baseline, week 4, 8, 12, and 15. Eyes were collected for ganglion cell layer (GCL) histologic analysis at week 15.Results: Suture implantation successfully induced approximately 50% IOP elevation and the cumulative IOP was similar between the three OHT groups. When compared with vehicle control (week 4: -23± 5%, P = 0.03), LBP pretreatment delayed the onset of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning (week 4, 8: -2 ± 7%, -11 ± 3%, P>0.05) and arrested further reduction up through week 15 (-10± 4%, P>0.05). LBP posttreatment intervention showed no significant change in rate of loss (week 4, 15: -25± 4.1%, -28 ± 3%). However, both LBP treatments preserved the retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and retinal functions up to week 15, which were significantly reduced in vehicle control.Conclusions: LBP posttreatment arrested the subsequent neuronal degeneration after treatment commencement and preserved RGC density and retinal functions in a chronic OHT model, which was comparable with pretreatment outcomes.

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PMID: 

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2019 Nov ;83(11):2000-2007. Epub 2019 Jun 28. PMID: 31250712

Abstract Title: 

Flavone of Hippophae (H-flavone) lowers atherosclerotic risk factors via upregulation of the adipokine C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein 6 (CTRP6) in macrophages.

Abstract: 

In this study, we examined the mechanism of Flavone of Hippophae (H-flavone) in regulating macrophage foaming and atherosclerosis (AS) plaque formation. H-flavone treatment increased the secretion of C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related proteins 6 (CTRP6) in Ox-LDL-treated mouse peripheral blood macrophage cells (PBMC) and significantly reduced the percentage of cholesteryl ester (CE) in PBMC. Additionally, H-flavone suppressed Ox-LDL-induced cell foaming and the production of inflammatory cytokines through upregulating CTPR6 expression. Next, we further validated the inhibitory effect of H-flavone on plaque formation and inflammation in a mouse AS model. A substantial reduction in the secretion of inflammatory cytokines was observed in apoEmice by H-flavone. Immunohistochemistry and Oil Red O staining results showed that H-flavone suppressed macrophage infiltration and the development of AS plaque. These effects were more pronounced in early administration. Our results suggest that H-flavone effectively inhibits macrophage foaming, inflammation and vascular plaque formation by upregulating CTRP6 and may be used to reduce AS risk.

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PMID: 

Antioxidants (Basel). 2019 Dec 4 ;8(12). Epub 2019 Dec 4. PMID: 31817215

Abstract Title: 

Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Enzymatic Activities of Sea Buckthorn (L.) Fruits Modulated by Chemical Components.

Abstract: 

The aim of this study was to analyze in vitro biological activities as anti-oxidant, anti–amylase, anti–glucosidase, anti-lipase, and anti-lipoxygenase activity, relative to bioactive components (phenolic acids, flavonols, xanthophylls, carotenes, esterified carotenoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, and fatty acids) and the basic chemical composition (sugars, organic acid, dry matter, soluble solid, pH, titratable acidity, ash, pectins, and vitamin C) ofberries. Six sea buckthorn cultivars commonly grown in Poland were analyzed including Aromatnaja, Botaniczeskaja-Lubitelskaja, Józef, Luczistaja, Moskwiczka, and Podarok Sadu. Berries contained 1.34-2.87 g of sugars and 0.96-4.22 g of organic acids in 100 g fresh weight, 468.60-901.11 mg of phenolic compounds, and 46.61-508.57 mg of carotenoids in 100 g dry mass. The fatty acid profile was established: palmitic>palmitoleic>oleic and linoleic>stearic and linolenic acids. The highest anti-oxidant (34.68 mmol Trolox/100 g dry mass) and anti–amylase potential (IC= 26.83 mg/mL) was determined in Aromatnaja, anti-glucosidase in Botaniczeskaja-Lubitelskaja (IC= 41.78 mg/mL), anti-lipase in Moskwiczka and Aromatnaja (average IC= 4.37 mg/mL), and anti-lipoxygenase in Aromatnaja and Podarok Sadu fruits (100% inhibition). The studied sea buckthorn berries may be a raw material for the development of functional foods and nutraceutical products rich in compounds with high biological activity.

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