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Traditional Research on the Fruits  in

POMEGRANATE-GOJI BERRY SOLID

 

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Pomegranate (Punica granatum) In human clinical trials, pomegranate has been shown to be effective in reducing the microorganisms involved with the development of dental plaque which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay 20. Pomegranate’s ellagitannins inhibit gene expression of androgen-synthesizing hormones and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), both of which are involved in tumor cell growth of recurrent prostate cancer 15, 16. This inhibition of angiogenesis may be useful as a chemopreventative or chemotherapeutic agent, especially when combined with conventional treatment 17.
Lycium (Lycium barbarum) Also known as goji berry or Gou Qi Zi, lycium is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to nourish the Chinese liver and Chinese kidney which are involved with the functions of eyesight, growth, maturation and aging. It is protective to the Western liver and laboratory studies have shown that this may be achieved by the fruit’s ability to stimulate T lymphocyte activation 21. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that the polysaccharides found in lycium reduce the risk of lipid peroxidation accelerated by age-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increase total antioxidant capacity (TOAC) and immune function, both of which decline with age and/or disease 4. These same polysaccharides protect muscle fibers in the heart and skeletal muscle by increasing creatine kinase levels 5, 6 and attenuating beta-amyloid (Abeta) toxicity in neurons, which occurs at the onset of Alzheimer’s disease 7-9. Human clinical trials showed that ingestion of lycium increased energy levels, mental acuity and reduced stress 14 .
Blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) Research has shown that the proanthocyanidins in blueberries can induce a deformation in both antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, thus rendering them unable to attach to the epithelial cells that line the bladder and stomach. Preventing adhesion of these microorganisms to the organ walls is crucial in the prevention of urinary tract infections and Helicobactor pylori (H. pylori) infections that can result in the formation of gastric ulcers, gastritis and several types of gastric cancer 22, 23. Blueberry polyphenols can cross the blood brain barrier and localize in various regions of the brain that are important for learning and memory 10 and therefore provide additional neuroprotective action. They can also accumulate in the eye 11, where they improve vascular integrity and increase capillary circulation which helps reduce oxidation in ocular tissues.  Combined with lycium, the effects on the eye are beneficial in reducing the onset of glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts 12, 13. Pterostilbene, an anthrocyanin in blueberries, induces gastric tumor cell apoptosis by activating the caspase cascade responsible for cleaving the cellular proteins required for tumor cell survival 18. The polyphenolics in pomegranate have also been shown to reduce oxidative DNA damage caused by UVA and UVB ultraviolet light exposure to skin.
Apple (Malus pumila)* Apples have been found to be the largest contributors of fruit phenolics to the American diet 24. They also contain Vitamin A, potassium and boron, a trace mineral necessary for proper absorption of calcium for healthy bone growth and maintenance. Apple procyanidins inhibit proliferation of animal melanoma cells and human metastatic colon cancer cells in laboratory studies 25, 26
Bibliography:

1. Heber, D. Multitargeted Therapy of Cancer by Ellagitannins. Cancer Lett 269 (2), pp 262-268, 2008.

2. Seeram, NP, Henning, SM, Zhang, Y, et al. Pomegranate Juice Ellagitannin Metabolites Are Present in Human Plasma and Some Persist for Up to 48 Hours. J Nutr 136 (10), pp 2481-2485, 2006.

3. Kay, CD and Holub, BJ. The Effect of Wild Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) Consumption on Postprandial Serum Antioxidant Status in Human Subjects. Br J Nutr 88 (4), pp 389-398, 2002.

4. Li, XM, Ma, YL and Liu, XJ. Effect of the Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Age-related Oxidative Stress in Aged Mice. J Ethnopharmacol 111 (3), pp 504-511, 2007.

5. Xin, YF, Zhou, GL, Deng, ZY et al. Protective Effect of Lycium barbarum on Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity. Phytother Res 21 (11), pp 1020-1024, 2007.

6. Niu, AJ, Wu, JM, Yu, DH and Wang, R. Protective Effect of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Oxidative Damage in Skeletal Muscle of Exhaustive Exercise Rats. Int J Biol Macromol 42 (5), pp 447-449, 2008.

7. Ho, YS, Yu, MS, Lai, CS et al. Characterizing the Neuroprotective Effects of Alkaline Extract of Lycium barbarum on Beta-amyloid Peptide Neurotoxicity. Brain Res 1158, pp 123-134, 2007.

8. Chang, RC and So, KF. Use of Anti-aging Herbal Medicine, Lycium barbarum, Against Aging-associated Diseases. What Do We Know So Far? Cell Mol Neurobiol 28 (5), pp 643-652, 2008.

9. Yu, MS, Lai, CS, Ho, YS et al. Characterization of the Effects of Anti-aging Medicine Fructus lycii on Beta-amyloid Peptide Neurotoxicity. Int J Mol Med 20 (2), pp 261-268, 2007.

10. Andres-Laceuva, C, Shukitt-Hale, B, Galli, RL et al. Anthocyanins in Aged Blueberry-fed Rats are Found Centrally and May Enhance Memory. Nutr Neurosci 8 (2), pp 111-120, 2005.

11. Kalt, W, Blumberg, JB, McDonald, JE et al. Identification of Anthocyanins in the Liver, Eye, and Brain of Blueberry-fed Pigs. J Agric Food Chem 56 (3), pp 705-712, 2008.

12. Chan, HC, Chang, RC, Koon-Ching Ip, A, et al. Neuroprotective Effects of Lycium barbarum Lynn on Protecting Retinal Ganglion Cells in an Ocular Hypertension Model of Glaucoma. Exp Neurol 203 (1), pp 269-273, 2006.

13. Fursova, AZh, Gesarevish, OG, Gonchar, AM, et al. [Dietary Supplementation with Bilberry Extract Prevents Macular Degeneration and Cataracts in Senesce-accelerated OXYS Rats]. Adv Gerontol 16, pp 76-79, 2005.

14. Amagase, H and Nance, DM. A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Clinical Study of the General Effects of a Standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi. J Altern Complement Med 14 (4), pp 403-412, 2008.

15. Hong, MY, Seeram, NP and Heber, D. Pomegranate Polyphenols Down-regulate Expression of Androgen-synthesizing Genes in Human Prostate Cancer Cells Overexpressing the Androgen Receptor. J Nutr Biochem 19 (12), pp 848-855, 2008.

*Herbal Therapeutics Research Library

Author: David Winston (RH) AHG

 

©2009 Herbal Therapeutics Research Library. All rights reserved

 Disclaimer: The information on historical, ethnobotanical and phytotherapeutic uses of herbs and traditional formulas contained herein is based on the experience and research of the author. It is not intended as a substitute for consulting with your physician or other health care provider. Any attempt to diagnose and treat an illness should be done under the direction of a health care professional. The publisher and author are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the information discussed. Should you have any questions concerning the appropriateness of any preparation mentioned, the author strongly suggests consulting a professional health care advisor.