GOJI BERRY (LYCIUM BARBARUM) TEA MAY AFFECT NEGATIVELY SOME PARAMETERS IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Lycium barbarum (Goji berry) is a plant commonly used in folk medicine with properties that include antiaging, anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetes, antihyperlipidemia, antithrombosis, improvement of immune response and reduction of infections. The use of Goji Berry (GB) tea is becoming very popular in Brazil mainly with the purpose of reduction the body weight and improvement of glycaemia and lipid profile. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of goji berry (GB) tea on the metabolic profile and some aspects of the behavior of Wistar rats. Animals were randomly divided in control group and group treated with GB tea. At the end of 60 days the animals performed the Elevated Plus Maze for behavioral assessment in order to evaluate the anxiety index. After that, blood was collected to the evaluation of the biochemical profile. Our results showed that goji berry tea may assist in reducing the body weight gain even without reducing the consumption of food but significantly increased glycemic levels and did not interfere in the lipid profile as well as in the visceral fat. GB tea also increased the anxiety behavior in the animals of GB group. The increase in the glycaemia contradicts the findings in the literature probably because the composition of the tea is different from the pure GB fruit or polysaccharides. We suggest more studies in order to evaluate the different products of GB that are available in the supermarkets once they may not bring the desired effects.

Full text

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Barbalho et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
GOJI BERRY (LYCIUM BARBARUM) TEA MAY AFFECT
NEGATIVELY SOME PARAMETERS IN WISTAR RATS
Patrícia C. S Bueno1, Sandra Maria Barbalho1,2*, Ana Elisa Martins Ferreira1,
Gleydson Bezerra da Mota Junior1, Luis Henrique Lemos Dos Santos1, Claudemir
Gregório Mendes1
1Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília,
Av. Higino Muzzi Filho 1001, Marília 15525-902, SP, Brazil.
2Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Technology of Marília
(FATEC), Av. Castro Alves, 62, Marília 17506-000, SP, Brazil.
ABSTRACT
Lycium barbarum (Goji berry) is a plant commonly used in folk
medicine with properties that include antiaging, anticancer,
antioxidant, antidiabetes, antihyperlipidemia, antithrombosis,
improvement of immune response and reduction of infections. The use
of Goji Berry (GB) tea is becoming very popular in Brazil mainly with
the purpose of reduction the body weight and improvement of
glycaemia and lipid profile. The aim of this study was to investigate
the effects of goji berry (GB) tea on the metabolic profile and some
aspects of the behavior of Wistar rats. Animals were randomly divided
in control group and group treated with GB tea. At the end of 60 days
the animals performed the Elevated Plus Maze for behavioral
assessment in order to evaluate the anxiety index. After that, blood was
collected to the evaluation of the biochemical profile. Our results
showed that goji berry tea may assist in reducing the body weight gain even without reducing
the consumption of food but significantly increased glycemic levels and did not interfere in
the lipid profile as well as in the visceral fat. GB tea also increased the anxiety behavior in
the animals of GB group. The increase in the glycaemia contradicts the findings in the
literature probably because the composition of the tea is different from the pure GB fruit or
polysaccharides. We suggest more studies in order to evaluate the different products of GB
that are available in the supermarkets once they may not bring the desired effects.
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
SJIF Impact Factor 6.805
Volume 5, Issue 7, 42-52. Research Article ISSN 2277– 7105
*Corresponding Author
Prof. Dr. Sandra Maria
Barbalho
Department of Biochemistry
and Pharmacology, School
of Medicine, University of
Marília, Av. Higino Muzzi
Filho 1001, Marília 15525-
902, SP, Brazil.
Article Received on
23 April 2016,
Revised on 14 May 2016,
Accepted on 05 June 2016
DOI: 10.20959/wjpr20167-6484

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Barbalho et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
KEY WORDS: Lycium barbarum, glycaemia, lipids, weight, anxiety, Wistar rats.
INTRODUCTION
Goji berry (GB) or wolfberry is the small and sweet fruit of the plant Lycium barbarum
(Solanacea) that has been used traditionally as medicinal food in many countries. Its
medicinal properties include antiaging, anticancer, antioxidant, antihyperlipidemia,
antithrombosis, protection against experimental ulcerative colitis, improvement of immune
response and reduction of infections.[1-5]
This plant is also considered as therapy for diabetes and other metabolic conditions, once it
may enhance metabolic rate and may reduce body-weight gains in animal and human models.
Authors have shown its effects also on reduction of the waist circumference. Besides other
components, the presence of water-soluble bioactive polysaccharides in goji fruit may
contribute to the health benefits as anti-fatigue activity due to the reduction of lipid
peroxidation and increase in antioxidant enzyme activities as well as exhibits
hepatoprotective effects. Other authors have shown improvement of intrusive memory related
cognition defect, reduction of the apoptosis in the hippocampus and recovery for the
neurogenesis as well as anti-hypertension and anti-hyperglycemic effects.[6-11]
The chemical composition of GB shows that it mainly contains polysaccharides, vitamins,
amino acids, taurine, alkaloids, and volatile oil.[12] Nardi et al[13] found that GB presents
significant phenolic and flavonoids content.
The use of GB is becoming very popular in Brazil mainly with the purpose of reduction of
body weight and improvement in the lipid and glycaemia profile. Population frequently
consumes this plant as tea and this consume has increased year by year. Thus, the aim of this
study was to investigate the effects of a goji berry formulation on the metabolic profile and
some aspects of the behavior of Wistar rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Preparation of the solution: The product used in this work is commonly found in Brazilian
supermarkets and pharmacies as “Goji Berry tea” and it is sold in packaging with 200 grams
of powder. The composition of the formulation is goji berry extract, polydextrose, rice flour,
fructooligosaccharide, vitamin and mineral mix, gelatin, hydrolyzed collagen, citric acid,
aroma identical to natural raspberry, antiwetting agent tricalcium phosphate, and stevia.

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We used 40g of the powder in 500mL of cold water in order to prepare a solution that was
used ad libitum for 60 days in the treated group.
Rat groups: This experiment was approved by the Animal Research Ethics Committee of the
University of Marília (UNIMAR, Marília, SP, Brazil). Twenty female Wistar weighing
approximately 100g to 120g were used and kept in the vivarium at the Medical School of
Marilia - UNIMAR. The rats were housed in collective cages under a dark/light cycle of 12
hours, room temperature of 22 ± 2°C, and relative air humidity of 60 ± 5%. During the
experimental period, the animals were fed and watered ad libitum; and were cared for
according to the recommendations of the Canadian Council’s “Guide for the care and use of
experimental animals”. Female rats were used because most people who use this kind of
product to reduce body weight are women.
After a period of 7 days of acclimation to laboratory conditions, the animals were divided
randomly in the experimental groups, which were identified according to the treatment they
would receive
G1: Control group, treated with rat feed and water ad libitum.
G2: Group treated with rat feed and GB solution ad libitum.
After a period of 60 days, the animals were euthanized with a lethal intraperitoneal injection
of 200 mg/Kg of thiopental. After death, blood samples were drawn from the vena cava to
determine the biochemical profile: total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL-c),
triglycerides, glycaemia, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase
(ALT). The glucose and lipid levels were measured in mg/dL; AST and ALT in U/L.
Atherogenic Index (AI) and Protection Index (PI) were evaluated after Schulpis, Karikas[14]
and Munshi, Joshi, Rane.[15]
Behavioral testing
After 60 days of the experimental protocol, the animals underwent the Elevated Plus Maze
for behavioral assessment in order to evaluate the anxiety index in animals from the Control
group and the animals treated with GB. For this protocol we used the model according to
Boerngen-Lacerda et al[16] and Blanchard et al.[17]
The Elevated Plus Maze is made of wood with two open and opposed arms, measuring 50x10
cm, and two enclosed, with 50 x 10 x 40 cm and with platforms with the same extent of the

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Barbalho et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
open arms, crossing them perpendicularly, which delimits a central area of 10 cm2. The unit
is 50 cm from the ground. Animals were placed in the Elevated Plus Maze for 5 minutes and
were evaluated by analyzing the frequency and the time spent in the center, and in open and
closed arms. We also evaluated the time and frequency of lifting, stretching, diving and self-
cleaning.
Statistical analysis
T-Test and ANOVA were performed for the statistical analysis and the variables were
presented as mean and standard deviation, adopting a level of significance of 5%.
RESULTS
In Table 1 we may see that the animals treated with GB reduced body weight after the
treatment period but they did not decrease food consumption. No differences were found for
visceral fat.
Table: 1. Mean and standard deviation of the food consumption and anthropometric
parameters of the animals of the control group (G1) and the group treated with Goji
berry (G2).
Parameters
G1
G2
p-value
Food consumption g/kg
0.491±0.0814
0.497±0.0978
0.75
Body weight at the beginning (g)
108.5±17.82
109.4±14.86
0.45
Body weight after 60 days (g)
225.7±16.11
210.95±10.34
0.05*
Visceral fat (g)
3.81±1.54
3.27±1.79
0.39
*Level of significance: 5%
In this study, animals treated with GB increased glycemic levels, decreased hepatic enzymes
and did not present changes in the lipid profile (Table 2).
Table 2. Mean and standard deviation of the biochemical profile of the animals of the
control group (G1) and the group treated with Goji berry (G2).
Parameters
G1
G2
p-value
Glycaemia (mg/dL)
154.6±46.06
182.5±45.13
0.03*
Triglycerides (mg/dL)
80.0±28.45
74.9±21.87
0.32
Total cholesterol (mg/dL)
61.4±7.64
59.9±7.70
0.33
HDL-c (mg/dL)
24.0±2.40
23.2±1.75
0.20
AST (U/L)
124.5±92.60
76.0±12.64
0.05*
ALT (U/L)
58.1±10.29
46.8±4.24
0.09*
HDL-c: High density lipoprotein; AST: aspartate aminotransferase and alanine ALT:
aminotransferase. *Level of significance: 5%.

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The treatment with GB did not interfere in the atherogenic index (Table 3).
Table 3 - Atherogenic Index (AI) in the group control group (G1) and group treated
with Goji berry (G2).
Parameter
G1
G2
Atherogenic index (%)
1.56
1.58
The Protection index for G2 exhibited null value for the group treated with GB when
compared to the control group.
Figure 1 shows that the weight gain in the animal groups. We may see in this figure that the
animals from control group gained weight more evenly during the experiment when
compared to the animals of GB group. Significant values were found when comparing both
groups.
Figure 1. Weight gain in the animals from control group (G1) and group treated with
Goji berry (G2) during the 60 days of the study.
Table 4. Results for the behavior (time and frequency) in the Elevated Pluz Maze in G1
(control group) and G2 (group treated with GB).
Behavior
G1
G2
p-value
Time in the open arm
35.07 ±26.23
57.29±17.46
0.019*

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Frequency in the open arm
3.60 ± 2.22
5.10±1.37
0.042*
Time in the close arm
196.60 ±31.49
158.90±23.16
0.003*
Frequency in the close arm
5.20 ±2.10
6.90±2.28
0.050*
Time in the center
68.33±30.74
83.80±27.22
0.124
Frequency in the center
7.20 ±3.22
9.90±2.47
0.024*
Time of lifting
2.22±0.81
3.31±0.72
0.043*
Frequency of lifting
12.8 ±5.25
10.70±4.97
0.180
Time of strenghing
2.22±1.04
3.31±1.58
0.043*
Frequency of strenghing
13.9±5.70
21.20±10.13
0.031*
Time of diving
0.66±0.51
1.13± 0.69
0,050*
Frequency of diving
4.1±3.21
7.10±4.36
0.048*
Time of self-cleaning
2.42±0.67
1.75±0.79
0.028*
Frequency of self-cleaning
16.8±5.57
11.90±4.84
0.025*
Frequency was measured in %. *Level of significance: 5%.
Table 4 shows the results for the group of animals underwent the Elevated Plus Maze showed
that G2 increased the anxiety behavior for all analyzed parameters.
DISCUSSION
Our results showed that GB solution may assist in reducing the body weight gain even
without reducing the consumption of food but significantly increased glycemic levels and did
not interfere in the lipid profile as well as in the visceral fat.
Most studies show that GB is related to hypoglycemic effects mainly when using
polysaccharides (GBP) extracted from the fruit. Cai et al[18] showed these polysaccharides
decreased postprandial glycaemia at a dose of 300 mg/day for 3 months and increased HDL-
c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Authors also found that the GBP decreased
postprandial glycaemia while sustaining postprandial release of insulin suggesting
stimulation of insulin secretion and sensitivity. These hypoglycemic findings were observed
in animal models by many other authors.[19-21] Gao et al[22] and Xi et al[23] showed that the
root bark of Lycium barbarum decreased significantly the action of the peroxisome
proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)-γ that is an remarkable target for the treatment of
type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Other interesting findings in the literature is that GBP may also reduce the production of
adipokines as Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, leptin and interleukin-6 that are involved in the
development of insulin resistance and subsequent type 2 diabetes.[18, 24]

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Other researchers found improvement in the lipid profile with important reduction in the
levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-c together with increase in the HDL-c.[19, 25]
GB is known as being the richest natural sources of zeaxanthin, and exhibits a high amount of
antioxidant activity.[12, 26] Tang et al[27 compared the effects of zeaxanthin and lutein in GB
and showed that both components may mimic GB effects on the activation of AMPK,
thioredoxin, and Mn Superoxide dismutase, normalizing cellular reactive oxygen species.
The presence of these antioxidants as well as polysaccharides, vitamins, amino acids, taurine,
phenolic content, flavonoids and volatile oil[12, 13] may be also related to the effects in the
lipid and glycemic profile. Antioxidants are also related with cardiovascular protection. We
did not observe similar results probably because the product used in our research was not
pure GB extract.
Our results in the body weight are corroborated by some studies. GB consumption may
increase metabolic rate and may reduce the waist circumference in health adult humans.[11]
Xiao et al[28] studied obese animals fed a high-fat diet and observed significant reduction in
the body weight when compared with the control animals.[2] Tao, He[29] observed reduction in
mice body weight after using a low and a high-dose GBP.
The levels of hepatic enzymes (AST and ALT) decreased after using GB solution. Elevation
of these enzymes levels would indicate destruction of liver cells, however, our results do not
show increase in these enzymes.[30]
Paul, Nance, Amagase[31] studied the effects of GP in a double-blind, placebo-controlled
human clinical trials and showed significant improvements in neurological/psychological
performance and overall feelings of health and well-being. Chang et al[32] found that these
polysaccharides may effective in reducing depression-like behavior and the antidepressant
action may be related to an enhance in the synaptic plasticity. Our results showed that the
effects of the formulation used in this work increased anxiety in the rats. Animals performing
the elevated plus maze exhibit a behavior known as risk assessment, which may be related to
hypervigilance by anxious individuals and may be an anticipation of a potential danger.
Anxious individuals tend to anticipate a proactive behavior.[16, 17] We did not find studies
including GB and this kind of environment model.
Several studies have shown that GB indices improvement in the glycaemia, lipid profile and
body weight in humans and animal models. Our results showed beneficial effects only on the

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percentage of weight gain and on the other hand, we observed an increase in blood glucose.
These different results in the literature could be explained because the solution was prepared
in a commercial product instead of a pure GB extract. Therefore, we suggest more studies in
order to evaluate the different products with GB that are available in the supermarkets and
pharmacies once they may not bring the desired effects. Therefore, consumers should be
careful when purchasing a commercial product because it can bring negative health effects.
AUTHOR DISCLOSURE STATMENTS
No competing financial interests exist. There is no conflict of interest for any author.
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