Goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) juice reduces lifespan and premature aging of Caenorhabditis elegans: Is it safe to consume it?

• Published in: Food research international Vol. 144; p. 110297
• Main Authors: de Freitas Rodrigues, Cristiane, Ramos Boldori, Jean, Valandro Soares, Marcell, Somacal, Sabrina, Emanuelli, Tatiana, Izaguirry, Aryele, Weber Santos Cibin, Francielli, Rossini Augusti, Paula, Casagrande Denardin, Cristiane
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2021
• Subjects: Antioxidant enzymes; Apoptosis; Lipofuscin; Oxidative stress; Polyphenols; Polyphenols; Oxidative stress; Lipofuscin; Antioxidant enzymes; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 0963-9969; 1873-7145
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110297

[Display omitted] •Are Goji berry juice safe for population?•Goji Berry juice decrease the survival and lifespan in a dose dependent manner in C. elegans.•Goji berry juice increase oxidative stress and promotes premature aging in worms.•Lipid metabolism are not modulated by Goji berry juice consumption.•Goji berry juice effects are not modulated by DAF-16/FOXO or SKN-1 pathways. Goji berry fruit is considered a healthy food. However, studies on its effects on aging and safety are rare. This study is the first to evaluate the effects of goji berry juice (GBJ) on oxidative stress, metabolic markers, and lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans. GBJ caused toxicity, reduced the lifespan of C. elegans by 50%, and increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by 45–50% at all tested concentrations (1–20 mg/µL) of GBJ. Moreover, the highest concentration of GBJ increased lipid peroxidation by 80% and altered the antioxidant enzymes. These effects could be attributed to a pro-oxidant effect induced by GBJ polyphenols and carotenoids. Moreover, GBJ increased lipofuscin, glucose levels, number of apoptotic bodies, and lipase activity. The use of mutant strains demonstrated that these effects observed in the worms treated with GBJ were not associated with the Daf-16/FOXO or SKN-1 pathways. Our findings revealed that GBJ (mainly the highest concentration) exerted toxic effects and promoted premature aging in C. elegans. Therefore, its consumption should be carefully considered until further studies in mammals are conducted.