Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yali Niu, Guoheng Zhang, Xiaojia Sun, Shikun He, Guorui Dou
Summary: Oxidative stress caused by imbalanced production of reactive species and reduced antioxidant activity can lead to ocular diseases. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are complex polysaccharides extracted from the fruit of L. barbarum, which have remarkable antioxidant effects and are relatively safe. Recent research has focused on the antioxidant mechanisms of LBPs and their potential applications in various ocular diseases.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jixian Zhang, Xue Yang, Tao Ji, Chaoting Wen, Zhiqiang Ye, Xiaofang Liu, Li Liang, Guoyan Liu, Xin Xu
Summary: The study investigated the digestion and absorption properties of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides stabilized selenium nanoparticles (LBP-SeNPs). Results showed that LBP-SeNPs can better maintain the morphology and properties of nano particles during the digestion process, leading to improved selenium bioavailability. The selenium release rate and particle size of SeNPs and LBP-SeNPs changed significantly during digestion, with LBP-SeNPs showing higher stability and absorption efficiency.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Feng Lu, Rongrong Zhai, Siyu Ruan, Xue Yang, Evans A. Alenyorege, Yucheng Wang, Yanhua Ding, Haile Ma
Summary: The study found that ultrasound can improve the decoloration process of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on resins and enhance their dynamic desorption effect. By optimizing conditions, a better desorption effect can be achieved.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yafei Zhu, Qipeng Zhao, Yideng Jiang
Summary: The study showed that LBP attenuates diabetic retinal angiogenesis by rescuing the expression of miR-15a-5p in RF/6A cells.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Chao Yang, Hui Xia, Huali Tang, Ligang Yang, Guiju Sun
Summary: This study successfully established a quantitative determination method for Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) pre-labeling and investigated their tissue distribution in rats. The results showed that LBPs were mainly absorbed by the small intestine and stomach and excreted through the kidney. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the biological effects of LBPs.
FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN WELLNESS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Run-Hui Ma, Xiu-Xiu Zhang, Kiran Thakur, Jian-Guo Zhang, Zhao-Jun Wei
Summary: Lycium genus is recognized as a promising source of novel bioactive compounds with diverse biological activities. Research has mainly focused on the chemical constituents and pharmacological properties of L. barbarum L. berries in traditional medicine. Apart from its medicinal use, L. barbarum L. berries and related food products are regarded as dietary supplements or 'superfoods' due to their significant health potential without explicit toxicity. Through a holistic approach, this study provides recent data on the chemical ingredients, their structural characterization, and emphasizes the extensive in vitro and in vivo health effects of L. barbarum L. berries.
CURRENT OPINION IN FOOD SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hui Xia, Chao Yang, Beijia Zhou, Huali Tang, Ligang Yang, Wang Liao, Guiju Sun
Summary: A high-performance gel permeation chromatography fluorescence detection method combined with FITC labeling was established for the microanalysis of LBP, showing slow elimination of LBP from plasma and prolonged retention in the intestine with most of it being excreted in feces.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Zhendong He, Tianyi Ma, Weiwei Zhang, Erzheng Su, Fuliang Cao, Meigui Huang, Yaosong Wang
Summary: The study showed that composite gels with 0.1% Lycium barbarum polysaccharides exhibited the greatest functional value, while gels with 1% LBP had higher porosity. Whey protein formed different types of gels at varying pH levels, but showed no significant difference in hydration properties.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hui-li Zheng, Meng-ting Li, Tong Zhou, Ying-yi Wang, Er-Xin Shang, Yong-qing Hua, Jin-ao Duan, Yue Zhu
Summary: This study investigated the preventive effect of Lycium barbarum L. berry extract on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and identified the main components responsible for its antioxidant activity. The results showed that the extracts of L. barbarum berries improved retinal structural abnormalities and attenuated oxidative stress and inflammatory imbalance. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the water extract of L. barbarum berries regulated the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids and sphingolipids, while the alcohol extract tended to regulate taurine metabolism. Furthermore, it was found that the water extract eluted with 95% ethanol was the vital antioxidant activity fraction.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Doudou Li, Xiaoke Zhang, Yanna Fan, Yannan Zhang, Xiujuan Tao, Jianjun Yang
Summary: The study found that Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) can improve glucose homeostasis by reducing duodenal contraction amplitude in prediabetic mice. LBPs also improve gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid levels, particularly acetic acid, which regulates duodenal contraction by binding to receptors on neurons.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhiyong Xiao, Qi Deng, Wenxia Zhou, Yongxiang Zhang
Summary: Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs), the most valuable and well-researched component of Lycium barbarum, possess antiaging, antidiabetic, antifibrotic, neuroprotective, and immunomodulation properties. Recent studies have provided insights into the structure-activity relationships, receptor recognition, and gut microbiota modulation of LBPs.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guoyan Liu, Xue Yang, Jixian Zhang, Li Liang, Feng Miao, Tao Ji, Zhiqiang Ye, Meng Chu, Jiaoyan Ren, Xin Xu
Summary: The study demonstrated that Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP), specifically LBP1, can be used as stabilizers and capping agents for uniformly dispersed selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) with excellent stability. LBP1-decorated SeNPs showed smaller particle size and enhanced fatigue-relieving activity, as indicated by prolonged swimming time and improved biochemical markers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zexiao Fan, Yue Zhang, Lina Jiao, Tianyu Zhu, Zian Feng, Zhenguang Liu, Yang Yang, Deyun Wang
Summary: The Lycium barbarum polysaccharides-loaded Particulate Alum via Pickering emulsion (LBPPE) prepared by Pickering emulsion has high antigen loading efficiency and stability, which makes it a promising and safe adjuvant platform for vaccines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Haoran Xing, Xuguang Liu, Yunfeng Hu, Kailei Hu, Junran Chen
Summary: This study investigated the impact and mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on the gelling behavior of soy protein isolate (SPI). The results showed that the addition of LBP improved the gel strength, water-holding capacity, and viscoelastic properties of SPI gel in a concentration-dependent manner. LBP also enhanced the thermal stability of SPI. The study further revealed that electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions played a critical role in the formation of the SPI-LBP gel composite.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Xiu-Xiu Zhang, Zhi-Jing Ni, Fan Zhang, Kiran Thakur, Jian-Guo Zhang, Mohammad Rizwan Khan, Rosa Busquets, Zhao-Jun Wei
Summary: This study investigated the physicochemical and anti-oxidant properties of Lycium barbarum seed dreg polysaccharides (LBSDPs) extracted with different solvents. The results showed that these polysaccharides had different monosaccharide compositions and molecular weights, as well as different antioxidant capacity and functional properties. The study provides a theoretical basis for further exploring the potential applications of LBSDPs in functional food and cosmetics industries.
Article
Cell Biology
Zhong-Qing Sun, Jin-Feng Liu, Wei Luo, Ching-Hin Wong, Kwok-Fai So, Yong Hu, Kin Chiu
Summary: Lycium barbarum extract can inhibit the inflammatory response in microglial cells induced by oligomeric Aβ and promote anti-inflammatory response.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhaodi Che, Yali Song, Chengfang Xu, Wei Li, Zhiyong Dong, Cunchuan Wang, Yixing Ren, Kwok-Fai So, George L. Tipoe, Fei Wang, Jia Xiao
Summary: Chronic alcohol consumption causes liver steatosis, cell death, and inflammation. Melatonin (MLT) has been found to alleviate alcoholic liver disease (ALD)-induced injury, and its direct regulating targets in hepatocytes are the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the downstream BRG1-TERT axis. MLT can effectively and safely protect the liver from alcohol-induced damage. It may serve as a complementary agent for individuals with alcoholism.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Francisca Siu Yin Wong, Ken Kin Tsang, Barbara Pui Chan, Amy Cheuk Yin Lo
Summary: Drug delivery difficulties often hinder the treatment of vision-threatening retinal diseases. This study developed injectable alginate-poly-L-lysine-coated composite alginate-collagen (CAC) gels for sustained ocular drug delivery. The optimized coated gels showed effective cell proliferation control, cell viability support, and continuous delivery of bioactive GDNF. Moreover, intravitreally injected gels demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in a rat model of retinal degeneration.
Article
Neurosciences
Lingtai Yu, Mengfan Liu, Fuxiang Li, Qianghua Wang, Meizhi Wang, Kwok-Fai So, Yibo Qu, Libing Zhou
Summary: Celsr2 knockout improves the survival and axon regeneration of injured motoneurons by alleviating inhibitory synaptic stripping.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Ming Yang, Kwok-Fai So, Wai-Ching Lam, Amy Cheuk Yin Lo
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Runhua Wang, Yuanyuan Cai, Weicong Lu, Ruoxi Zhang, Robin Shao, Suk-Yu Yau, Brendon Stubbs, Roger S. McIntyre, Kuan-Pin Su, Guiyun Xu, Liangwen Qi, Kwok-Fai So, Kangguang Lin
Summary: This 3-month randomized psychoeducation-controlled trial examined the effects of exercise on gut microbiota in young adolescents with subthreshold depression. The exercise intervention group showed an increase in the relative abundance of certain genera and species of gut bacteria compared to the psychoeducation-controlled group. These changes were associated with improvements in depressive symptoms and enrichment of defense and signal transduction mechanisms.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Lan Yan, Mei Wang, Fengzhen Yang, Yajie Wang, Siqi Wang, Kwok-Fai So, Li Zhang
Summary: Aerobic exercise relieves anxiety disorders by modulating neurogenesis and neural activity. The molecular mechanism of exercise-mediated anxiolysis is not fully understood. In a chronic restrain stress model in adolescent mice, 14-day treadmill exercise maintained normal neural activity and axonal myelination in the medial prefrontal cortex, preventing anxiety-like behaviors. Further investigation revealed activation of the mTOR pathway within the prefrontal cortex, mediated by exercise-induced brain RNA methylation inhibiting the expression of FMRP. Overall, treadmill exercise modulates the FMRP-mTOR pathway to maintain cortical neural activity and axonal myelination, improving stress resilience.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yashan Bu, Kendrick Co Shih, Ho Lam Wong, Sum Sum Kwok, Amy Cheuk-Yin Lo, Joseph Yau-Kei Chan, Alex Lap-Ki Ng, Tommy Chung-Yan Chan, Vishal Jhanji, Louis Tong
Summary: The effect of sustained hyperglycemia on corneal wound healing, immune response, and microbiome indices in diabetic mice after alkaline chemical injury of the eye was investigated. The diabetic mice showed delayed corneal wound healing and an inability to mount immune response. Additionally, differences in intestinal microbial diversity and abundance patterns were observed between diabetic mice and controls.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Ophthalmology
Ling-Ping Cen, Kevin K. Park, Kowk-Fai So
Summary: Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are crucial for transmitting visual information to the brain, and their loss or damage can result in partial or total vision loss. Accurate diagnosis is essential for timely treatment and prevention of irreversible RGC loss. Promoting RGC axon regeneration is vital for restoring vision, but several factors inhibit this process. Understanding the mechanisms of RGC survival and regeneration, as well as exploring potential therapies, is important for treating optic neuropathies.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Runwei Li, Shuang Qu, Meng Qin, Lu Huang, Yichun Huang, Yi Du, Zhexiong Yu, Fu Fan, Jing Sun, Qiushuang Li, Kwok-Fai So
Summary: Influenza, caused by a respiratory virus, has a significant global impact on human health. Influenza A viruses, in particular, are highly pathogenic and have caused multiple pandemics. An effective treatment strategy for viral pneumonia caused by influenza infection should focus on reducing direct damage from the virus and relieving excessive inflammation. Lycium barbarum glycopeptide (LbGp), derived from the fruit of Lycium barbarum, has strong pro-immune activity and potential antiviral effects. This study evaluated the antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of LbGp and its therapeutic effect on H1N1-induced viral pneumonia.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuchu Liu, Ji-an Wei, Zhihua Luo, Jing Cui, Yifan Luo, Sarah Oi Kwan Mak, Siqi Wang, Fengwei Zhang, Yan Yang, Kwok-Fai So, Lingling Shi, Li Zhang, Billy Kwok Chong Chow
Summary: Salt homeostasis is regulated by neural circuits and peripheral endocrine factors. The colon, a primary site for electrolyte absorption, might play a role in modulating sodium intake. This study discovered that the gastrointestinal hormone secretin, released from colon endocrine cells during sodium deficiency, is crucial for inducing salt appetite. Circulating secretin activates specific receptors in the nucleus of the solitary tracts, which in turn activates the downstream para-ventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, resulting in increased sodium intake. These findings reveal a previously unknown gut-brain pathway for the timely regulation of sodium homeostasis.
Article
Biology
Zhihua Luo, Junlin Chen, Yelin Dai, Kwok-Fai So, Li Zhang
Summary: Aerobic exercise effectively improves mental disorders by promoting adult neurogenesis. This study reveals that chronic restraint stress leads to overexcitation of the mPFC-BLA pathway, and 14-day treadmill exercise reverses these abnormalities. Chemogenetic studies demonstrate that the mPFC-BLA circuit is necessary for preventing anxiety-like behaviors in stressed mice. These findings suggest a neural circuitry mechanism by which exercise enhances resilience against environmental stress.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiao Liu, Fei Hao, Peng Hao, Jingxue Zhang, Liqiang Wang, Si-Wei You, Ningli Wang, Zhaoyang Yang, Kwok-Fai So, Xiaoguang Li
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Ming Yang, Kwok-Fai So, Amy Cy Lo, Wai-Ching Lam
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)