Insights & Discussion
Berries, largely due to their phenolic compounds, enhance internal antioxidant status and positively influence gut microbiota composition, promoting beneficial bacteria and suppressing harmful types.
The study compared the antioxidant capacities and gut microbiota modulatory effects of nine popular berries: blackberry, black goji berry, blueberry, mulberry, red Chinese bayberry, raspberry, red goji berry, strawberry, and white Chinese bayberry. The anthocyanin profiles of each berry were identified using Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with Triple TOF/MS. The antioxidant capacities were evaluated through four chemical assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and ORAC). Healthy mice were treated with different berry extracts for two weeks as a means of investigating in vivo antioxidant capacity and gut microbiota modulatory effects.
In terms of the results, it was observed that majority of the berries improved the internal antioxidant status, indicated by elevated serum or colonic Total Antioxidant Capacity (T-AOC), Glutathione (GSH), Total Superoxide Dismutase (T-SOD), Catalase (CAT), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels, along with a decrease in Malondialdehyde (MDA) content. All berries studied notably altered the gut microbiota composition, with most leading to the enrichment of beneficial Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria and the curbing of potentially harmful bacterial types.
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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 Antioxidant Cancer
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 Anti-Ageing Anticancer Antioxidant
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.
Goji berries, rich in antioxidants, confer health benefits including protection against aging, cancer, and radiation, as well as enhancing immunity and blood production.
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 Anti-Ageing Anticancer Antioxidant
The methodology of the study focused on a thorough review of the bioactive compounds and pharmacological properties of goji berries, particularly targeting their molecular mechanisms of action. This involved looking at the different ways these fruits are consumed, such as in soups, herbal teas, tinctures, wine, and juice, and how these methods influence the antioxidants present in the fruits.
Goji berries were found to offer a range of health benefits due to their ability to alleviate oxidative stress. These benefits include enhancing hemopoiesis (blood formation), offering antiradiation and antiaging properties, inhibiting cancer, improving immunity, and providing antioxidation. Furthermore, the study emphasized that the complex mixture of phytochemicals found in fruits and herbal products like goji berries provide a cumulative protective effect, which proves more beneficial compared to extracting and using one single phytochemical.
Daily goji berry supplementation increases antioxidant levels and protects visual health in the elderly, though the exact mechanism remains unclear.
2011 Optometry and Vision Science Goji Berry Effects on Macular Characteristics and Plasma Antioxidant Levels Bucheli P, Vidal K, Shen L, Gu Z, Zhang C, Miller LE, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Antioxidant Eye Health Goji Berry
In a double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled study, elderly participants were given either a milk-based goji berry supplement (13.7 g/d) or a placebo for a 90-day period. Eye health was assessed via direct examination to measure pigmentation and soft drusen count in the macula, and blood tests were done to determine plasma zeaxanthin level and total antioxidant capacity.
In the discussion of results, the placebo group showed signs of hypopigmentation and soft drusen accumulation in the macula, which did not occur in the group that received the goji berry supplement. The group supplementing with goji berries also showed a significant increase in plasma zeaxanthin levels and total antioxidant capacity, while no change was seen in the placebo group. There were no adverse effects of the supplement reported in either group.