Effect of Goji (Lycium barbarum) on Expression of Genes Related to Cell Survival

This study investigated the interrelationship between Lycium barbarum (goji) and gene expression in mouse spleen. Oligomicroarray technology was employed to explore the comprehensive response of gene expression and to screen candidate marker genes in the spleens of mice fed a goji suspension. Goji was micronized by media milling and then used to evaluate the effect of size reduction. The average diameter of nano/submicrometer goji was about 100 nm, which exhibited no cytotoxicity to cell lines IEC-6 (rat normal small intestinal cell line) and Caco-2 (human colon adenocarcinoma cell line). It was found that three genes, TNF, Nfkb1, and Bcl-2, were up-regulated and two genes, APAF-1 and caspase-3, were down-regulated by goji. This phenomenon could be helpful for cytoprotection when cells undergo stress or damage that induces the apoptotic pathway. Size reduction into nano/submicrometer scale enhanced bioactivity.