1. A study on the immuno-modulating
effects of Lycium barbarumL. (Goji berry)
in human volunteers
Mara Grigoraki
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2. Introduction
• Necessity for safer drugs, with less severe side effects
• Natural immunomodulators gain attention
• Goji berry: “functional food”, medicinal and nutritional
properties
• Immunomodulation via polysaccharides (LBP)
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3. Aim
Investigate the immuno-regulatory effects of goji berry on
PBMCs from human volunteers with overweight (BMI 25-
30kg/m2)
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4. Approach – In vivo study
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Meal intake
t=0 h t=4 h
Blood sample Blood sample
MSD: IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-
4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13
and TNF-α
Sandwich ELISA:
IL-6, IL-8 and
TNF-α
Positive Control
(Goji berry)
Negative Control (Placebo)
Total PBMCs Tru Total PBMCs Tru
LPS
24h 24h 24h 24h 24h 24h
48h 48h - 48h 48h -
PHA
24h 24h - 24h 24h -
48h 48h - 48h 48h -
aCD3/CD2
8 - - 48h - - 48h

5. Results – In vivo study IL-6
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#1 and #2 higher
secretion at day 1, #3
higher at day 9
t=4 lower than t=0

6. Results – In vivo study IL-8
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Day 9 #3 higher than day 1
Day 1 #1 and #2 higher
than day 9

7. Results – In vivo study TNF-α
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Day 9 of #1 and #2 lower than
day 1
Day 1 of #3 lower than day 9

8. Results – In vivo study MSD
Reduced T cell proliferation
Reduced B cell proliferation
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9. Approach – In vitro study
• PBMC isolation from blood of 8 men (25-30kg/m2)
• Stimulation with goji berry extracts (50, 100 and 200μg/ml)
• Detection of TNF-α and IL-8
WB: Whole Berries, CB: Crushed Berries, LNB: Smashed in Liquid Nitrogen Berries
WET 1,5h/3h: Autoclave 1,5h/3h, DRY 3h: Stove 3h
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Medium LPS WB WET 1,5h
WB WET 3h WB DRY 3h CB WET
1,5h
CB WET 3h CB DRY 3h LNB DRY
3h
Negative
Control
√
Positive
Control
√
50 μg/ml √ √ √ √ √ √ √
100 μg/ml √ √ √ √ √ √ √
200 μg/ml √ √ √ √ √ √ √

10. Results – In vitro study
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• Weak TNF-α stimulators
• Differences not significant

11. Results – In vitro study (2)
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• DRY LNB extracts strongest IL-8 inducers
• Significant difference between 200μg/ml and 50μg/ml
*
*

12. Conclusions
• Volunteers #1 and #2 consumed the goji berry shake at day 9,
volunteer #3 at day 1
Anti-inflammatory properties
• Goji berry is a cytokine inducer in a dose-dependent way
Potent immuno-regulator
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13. Acknowledgements
• Jogchum
• Maud and Maurice
• José
• All of you!
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