Goji Berry Juice Prevents Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Induced Xerostomia in Human Salivary Gland Cells

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by oral dryness that is primarily attributed to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-mediated reduction in saliva production. In traditional Chinese medicine, goji berries are recognized for their hydrating effect and are considered suitable to address oral dryness associated with Yin deficiency. In the present study, we used goji berry juice (GBJ) to investigate the potential preventive effect of goji berries on oral dryness caused by SS. Pretreatment of human salivary gland cells with GBJ effectively prevented the decrease in aquaporin-5 (AQP-5) mRNA and protein levels induced by TNF-α. GBJ also inhibited histone H4 deacetylation and suppressed the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, GBJ pretreatment reserved mitochondrial membrane potential and suppressed the upregulation of Bax and caspase-3, indicating that GBJ exerted an antiapoptotic effect. These findings suggest that GBJ provides protection against TNF-α in human salivary gland cells and prevents the reduction of AQP-5 expression on the cell membrane. Altogether, these results highlight the potential role of GBJ in preventing oral dryness caused by SS.