Insights & Discussion
The pectin-free fraction from Lycium barbarum fruit exhibits significant antioxidant activity and inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells.
In this study, researchers took three portions from Lycium barbarum fruit – total water, pectin-free, and polysaccharide, and analyzed their antioxidant potential using Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity and Hydroxyl Radical Averting Capacity assays. The team also examined the pectin-free and the polysaccharide fraction's antiproliferative effects on non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic breast cell lines through the MTT dye reduction assay.
The results revealed that the pectin-free fraction from Lycium barbarum fruit demonstrated growth inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner on the three cell lines. This effect was highly pronounced on the breast cancer cells. The polysaccharide fraction showed limited activity, only reducing the proliferation of one type of breast cancer cell at maximum concentration. Surprisingly, pairing the pectin-free and polysaccharide fraction did not produce a synergistic effect. A relationship was observed between the polyphenolic content in the extracts and the resulting effects, with the pectin-free extract containing the most polyphenols and demonstrating the most potent antioxidant and antineoplastic impact against breast cancer cells.
Discover Related Insights
Carrot and carotene consumption could diminish the risk of a wide range of negative health consequences, including multiple types of cancer.
2023 Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture Carrot and carotene and multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review of the evidence Yi X, Li J, Liao D, Peng G, Zheng X, Xu H, et al.
Review Article Alzheimer's Disease Anticancer Breast Cancer
An umbrella review methodology was adopted to identify connections between carrot and carotene intake and various health outcomes. We turned to databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase to find the needed data. The analysis included the collected evidence from both interventional and observational studies that focused on carrots, carotene, and any related health impact. To estimate the summary effect size for each correlation, both random and fixed effects models were employed.
The study reviewed a total of 1329 studies and utilized the data from 30 meta-analyses with 26 health outcomes that fit the eligibility requirements. These featured outcomes related to various types of cancer, fractures, age-related cataract, sunburn, and Alzheimer's disease. The associations were analyzed between the health outcomes and the intake of carrots, intake of carotene, and serum carotene levels.
Goji berries have significant potential as a natural medicine in anticancer efforts due to their high content of active compounds.
2021 International Review of Neurobiology Chapter 35 - Lycium barbarum (goji berry), human breast cancer, and antioxidant profile Anna Wawruszaka,Marta Halasaa,Karolina Oklab
Review Article Anticancer Goji Berry
The research involved extraction and analysis of various fractions from goji berries to ascertain their impact on different types of cancer. These fractions included polysaccharides, polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids and their derivatives, and they were tested against particular types of cancer cells, such as those of breast carcinoma. The effect of these extracts on normal human cells, however, has not been explored. Two distinct stages were mapped out: one with a pectin-free fraction of goji berry extract used to inhibit the growth of two breast cancer cell types, and another phase involving an ethanol extract inhibiting a different breast cancer cell line.
In the discussion of results, the study revealed that various extracts from goji berries exhibit antiproliferative properties against different types of cancer cells. Evidence shows that a certain pectin-free fraction of the goji extract inhibited the growth of specific types of breast cancer cells, while an ethanol extract curtailed the proliferation of another type in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The study also found that goji polysaccharides not only influence estrogen metabolism but also activate certain cellular signaling pathways and increase the expression of a certain protein.
The Lycium ruthenicum Murr variety of goji berry exhibits a stronger antioxidant activity and antiproliferative effect on cancer cells compared to Lycium barbarum L.
2021 Food & Function Goji berry (Lycium spp.) extracts exhibit antiproliferative activity via modulating cell cycle arrest, cell apoptosis, and the p53 signaling pathway Xiong L, Deng N, Zheng B, Li T, Liu RH
Experimental Study Anticancer Cancer Goji Berry
For methodology, the researchers examined the phytochemical profiles of two different varieties of goji berries: Lycium ruthenicum Murr (LRM) and Lycium barbarum L. (LB). They then evaluated the antioxidant activity of these varieties using multiple assays. For the assessments of antiproliferative effect, they tested the ability of high dose LRM and LB supplementation to interfere with cell cycle progression and induce apoptosis in MDA cells, a specific type of cancer cells.
In the discussion of results, it was found that LRM overpowered LB in both antioxidant activity and antiproliferative mechanism, owing to its higher total phenolics and flavonoids. LB, while it was higher in VE and carotenoids, had less remarkable effects on cell cycle interference and apoptosis induction. Both LRM and LB triggered the activation of a proliferation-related signaling pathway; however, LB did not manage to lower the levels of two specific proteins which indicates a weaker antiproliferative effect. Despite these differences, both varieties were considered potential assets for managing the growth of cancerous cells and enhancing human health.
The health benefits of goji berries include enhancing hemopoiesis, antiradiation, antiaging, anticancer, improvement of immunity, and antioxidation.
2019 Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity Goji Berries as a Potential Natural Antioxidant Medicine: An Insight into Their Molecular Mechanisms of Action Zheng Feei Ma, Hongxia Zhang, Sue Siang Teh, Chee Woon Wang, Yutong Zhang, Frank Hayford, et al.
Systematic Review Anticancer Antioxidant Goji Berry
Goji berries are a high antioxidant potential fruits which alleviate oxidative stress to confer many health protective benefits such as preventing free radicals from damaging DNA, lipids, and proteins. There is a better protection through synergistic and additive effects in fruits and herbal products from a complex mixture of phytochemicals than from a single phytochemical. The health benefits of goji berries include enhancing hemopoiesis, antiradiation, antiaging, anticancer, improvement of immunity, and antioxidation.
The pectin-free fraction of Lycium barbarum, or goji berry, strongly inhibits growth in breast cancer cells, and this effect is enhanced by adding polysaccharides.
2019 Folia Medica Antioxidant Activity and Antiproliferative Effects of Lycium barbarum's (Goji berry) Fractions on Breast Cancer Cell Lines Georgiev KD, Slavov IJ, Iliev IA.
Experimental Study Anticancer Breast Cancer Goji Berry
In this study, the researchers isolated three fractions of Lycium barbarum, also known as goji berry, and tested their antioxidant activity using Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity and Hydroxyl Radical Averting Capacity assays. After this, the antiproliferative effects of these extracts were evaluated on three separate breast cancer cell lines. To see the influence of different components of the berry, a distinct pectin-free fraction was used and its effects were studied in conjunction with those of added polysaccharides.
The results indicate that the pectin-free fraction produced the most significant growth inhibitory effect on the breast cancer cells. This inhibitory effect was found to be enhanced when polysaccharides were added to the pectin-free fraction. A determining factor for the observed effects seemed to be the polyphenolic content of the extracts, with higher content correlating to stronger effects.
Sign In
Users not signed in are limited to viewing the 5 most recent items of content.