Abstract:Lycium barbarum (L. barbarum) fruit or extract has been regarded as a superior-grade Chinese medicine, used to modulate body immunity and for anti-aging purposes. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms behind these effects remain unclear. In the present study, L. barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs), considered a major contributor of L. barbarum effects, were used to elucidate its mechanism of action by phenotypic and senescence associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) assays, evaluation of survival rates in viv… Show more
“…At the moment we cannot fully rule out the possibility that some of the SaβG activity detected in developing zebrafish is related to autophagy. However, other studies which looked at senescence at specific time points in zebrafish observed identical SaβG activity to this study (Kishi et al, 2008), and this activity correlated with other markers associated with senescence such as p53 and p21 expressions (Donnini et al, 2010; Xia et al, 2014). Fig.…”
Senescence represents a mechanism to avoid undesired cell proliferation that plays a role in tumor suppression, wound healing and embryonic development. In order to gain insight on the evolution of senescence, we looked at its presence in developing axolotls (urodele amphibians) and in zebrafish (teleost fish), which are both anamniotes. Our data indicate that cellular senescence is present in various developing structures in axolotls (pronephros, olfactory epithelium of nerve fascicles, lateral organs, gums) and in zebrafish (epithelium of the yolk sac and in the lower part of the gut). Senescence was particularly associated with transient structures (pronephros in axolotls and yolk sac in zebrafish) suggesting that it may play a role in the elimination of these tissues. Our data supports the notion that cellular senescence evolved early in vertebrate evolution to influence embryonic development.
“…At the moment we cannot fully rule out the possibility that some of the SaβG activity detected in developing zebrafish is related to autophagy. However, other studies which looked at senescence at specific time points in zebrafish observed identical SaβG activity to this study (Kishi et al, 2008), and this activity correlated with other markers associated with senescence such as p53 and p21 expressions (Donnini et al, 2010; Xia et al, 2014). Fig.…”
Senescence represents a mechanism to avoid undesired cell proliferation that plays a role in tumor suppression, wound healing and embryonic development. In order to gain insight on the evolution of senescence, we looked at its presence in developing axolotls (urodele amphibians) and in zebrafish (teleost fish), which are both anamniotes. Our data indicate that cellular senescence is present in various developing structures in axolotls (pronephros, olfactory epithelium of nerve fascicles, lateral organs, gums) and in zebrafish (epithelium of the yolk sac and in the lower part of the gut). Senescence was particularly associated with transient structures (pronephros in axolotls and yolk sac in zebrafish) suggesting that it may play a role in the elimination of these tissues. Our data supports the notion that cellular senescence evolved early in vertebrate evolution to influence embryonic development.
“…LBP is a water-soluble polysaccharide extracted from Lycium barbarum and exerts multiple biological functions including protective effects on the male reproductive system (30). In this study, our results showed that STZ-induced diabetic rats showed impaired spermatogenic function with a decrease in PCNA, SIRT1, and HIF-1α expression and an increase in cell apoptosis in the testes.…”
The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on testicular spermatogenic function in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Compared to the control group, blood glucose levels were significantly increased and the insulin resistance was markedly aggravated in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Further, the weight of testis and epididymis and the sperm number and motility were decreased in diabetic rats. Pathological changes were also observed in the spermatogenic tubules, along with a decreased number of spermatogenic cells, downregulated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, and increased cell apoptosis in the testes. Compared to the saline-treated diabetic rat group, metformin and LBP treatment significantly decreased the level of blood glucose and improved insulin resistance and testicular function. After treatment with metformin and LBP, the pathological changes in the spermatogenic tubules improved significantly, with an increase in the number of spermatogenic cells, upregulation of PCNA, and suppression of apoptosis in the testes. The expressions of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) in diabetic testes were also upregulated by metformin or LBP treatment. In summary, LBP exerted protective effects by increasing cell proliferation, inhibiting cell apoptosis, and regulating SIRT1/HIF-1α expression in the testes of diabetic rats.
“…In fact, Oh et al [6] demonstrated that LBB extract has inhibitor effect on proinflammatory mediator production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells via blockade on the MAPKs and NF- κ B pathways. Additionally, in the last few years, LBBs have been described to modulate the aging by acting on cp53-mediated pathway [7] and on the resistance to the generation of lipid peroxide and other substances, which damage cell membrane lipid [8]. LBB extract has been also described for its immune enhancing [9], antioxidant and anticancer [3], and hepatoprotective and neuroprotective [10] properties.…”
Lycium barbarum is a famous plant in the traditional Chinese medicine. The plant is known to have health-promoting bioactive components. The properties of Lycium barbarum berries cultivated in Umbria (Italy) and their effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) have been investigated in this work. The obtained results demonstrated that the Lycium barbarum berries from Umbria region display high antioxidant properties evaluated by total phenolic content and ORAC method, on hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions. Moreover, on HepG2 cell line Lycium barbarum berries extract did not change cell viability analyzed by MTT and Trypan blue exclusion assay and did not induce genotoxic effect analyzed by comet assay. Furthermore, it was demonstrated, for the first time, that the berries extract showed a protective effect on DNA damage, expressed as antigenotoxic activity in vitro. Finally, Lycium barbarum berries extract was able to modulate the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress, proliferation, apoptosis, and cancer. In particular, downexpression of genes involved in tumor migration and invasion (CCL5), in increased risk of metastasis and antiapoptotic signal (DUSP1), and in carcinogenesis (GPx-3 and PTGS1), together with overexpression of tumor suppressor gene (MT3), suggested that Umbrian Lycium barbarum berries could play a protective role against hepatocellular carcinoma.
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