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The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of a Lycium barbarum (L. barbarum) fruit extract in Wistar rats submitted to a palatable diet presenting systemic inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Forty-two Wistar female rats (Rattus Novergicus) were used with 60 days old. The animals were feed for 60 days and divided in six groups (n=7): standard diet+water; standard diet+L. barbarum; palatable diet+water; palatable diet+L. barbarum; standard diet+water+LPS; standard diet+L. barbarum+LPS. A significant difference was shown between the analyzed groups concerning C-reactive protein, with the standard diet+water+LPS group presenting the highest inflammatory response in comparison to the other groups. Decreased inflammatory response was observed in the group administered a palatable diet along with the fruit extract when compared to the group that received only a palatable diet. Significant decrease in glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity was observed in the standard diet+L. barbarum+LPS group compared to the standard diet+water group, as well as in the palatable diet+L. HIGHLIGHTS  Lycium barbarum extract displays the potential to reduce inflammatory responses.  L. barbarum promotes the reduction of the inflammatory response in the palatable diet.  L. barbarum reduced glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity in the both diets.  L. barbarum increase the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 genes in the standard diet. 2 Ávila, C.N.; et al.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ilex paraguariensis infusion on redox state of Wistar rats submitted to high-fat and standard diet. Glutathione determination and lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus tissues and liver was performed, as well as the analysis of gene expression of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results from hippocampus showed that the groups fed with standard diet exhibited significant reduction of lipid peroxidation when supplemented with Ilex paraguariensis. The analysis from glutathione determination in the hippocampus showed a significant increase in glutathione activity in the group treated with high-fat diet and Ilex paraguariensis. In the liver, results showed no significant difference in both glutatione and lipid peroxidation analisys. Gene expression of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase showed that there was significant difference in the groups treated with high-fat diet and Ilex paraguariensis. In summary, the Ilex paraguariensis showed substantial potential for antioxidant activities.

Studies have shown that drinks containing Ilex paraguariensis extract can promote many benefits in animals and in humans. The present study aimed to evaluate in vivo effects of Ilex paraguariensis extract on metabolic profile, obesity prevention and expression of genes related with adipogenesis and lipogenesis in Wistar female rats fed a high-fat diet. For this experiment 32 Wistar female rats with normal weight were used and randomly separated into four groups: diet (standard or high-fat) and treatment (water or Ilex paraguariensis extract) for 34 days. The rats receiving Ilex paraguariensis extract had lower body weight compared to the control group in both diets. Likewise, there was a reduction in triglycerides in the groups fed high-fat diet and treated with Ilex paraguariensis extract. The creatinine levels were lower in the groups treated with Ilex paraguariensis and in high-fat diet. Ot was observed an increased liver gene expression for Fas and Scd1 in the group treated with hyperlipid diet + Ilex paraguariensis. Ot can be concluded that Ilex paraguariensis extract decreased body weight gain in both control and high-fat diets, reduced plasma triglycerides and creatinine levels and increased liver expression of genes related to lipogenesis.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of Goji Berry extract (GB, Lycium barbarum) gavage administration on liver tissue oxidative stress in Wistar rats as well as to identify and quantify the content of the major bioactive compounds of the fruit. Four diets were applied: SW -standard diet + water; SG -standard HIGHLIGHTS• L. barbarum promote the increase in catalase enzyme activity in the liver of rats.• L. barbarum increase mRNA expression of catalase enzyme in the liver of rats.• L. barbarum extract produced a significant oxidation decrease in the liver of rats.• L. barbarum extract has a significant amount of bioactive compounds.

The aim of this study was to identify and characterize in vitro Lactococcus lactis R7 isolated from commercial ricotta cheese. The results from phenotypic characterization demonstrated that L. lactis R7 had growth potential in a wide temperature range (15 °C and 45 °C), ability to tolerate high osmotic concentrations (sodium chloride 4.0 %), ability to growth in acidic and alkaline condition (pH 2.0 and 9.6), and ability to sugar fermentation (glucose, maltose and ribose). The findings confirm that L. lactis R7 belong to the genus Lactococcus. The results from molecular identification by 16S RNA identified the isolate as Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis R7. The phenotypic characteristics combined with the molecular identification, indicate that the isolate R7 belongs to the lactis subspecies. The isolate L. lactis R7 was tolerant to acidity and bile salts. In the intestinal tract, cell concentrations were higher than 7.98 log CFU.mL-1 in the presence and absence of bile salts. L. lactis R7 showed antioxidant and inhibitory capacity for lipid peroxidation. It also demonstrated capacity for self-aggregation (25.8%), coaggregation (18.3%) and hydrophobicity (11.1%). The antagonist activity of the isolate was greater against Staphylococcus aureus (12.2 mm), when compared to Escherichia coli (11.1 mm) and Salmonella enteritidis (9.5 mm). In the MTT assays, L. lactis R7 did not show cytotoxicity to VERO cells at the evaluated concentrations. In conclusion, L. lactis R7 isolated from ricotta cheese presented probiotic characteristics and compatible safety aspects for use as a food technology culture.