Beneficial effects of Glycyrrhizae radix extract in preventing oxidative damage and extending the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans

Neuroprotective effects of Anshen Bunao Syrup on cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease rat models

Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents a significant challenge due to its prevalence and lack of cure, driving the quest for effective treatments. Anshen Bunao Syrup, a traditional Chinese medicine known for its neuroprotective properties, shows promise in addressing this need. However, understanding its precise mechanisms in AD remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate Anshen Bunao Syrup's therapeutic potential in AD treatment using a scopolamine-induced AD rat model. Assessments included novel-object recognition and Morris water maze tasks to evaluate spatial learning and memory, alongside Nissl staining and ELISA analyses for neuronal damage and biomarker levels. Results demonstrated that Anshen Bunao Syrup effectively mitigated cognitive dysfunction by inhibiting amyloid-β and phosphorylation Tau aggregation, thereby reducing neuronal damage. Metabolomics profiling of rats cortex revealed alterations in key metabolites implicated in tryptophan and fatty acid metabolism pathways, suggesting a role in the therapeutic effects of Anshen Bunao Syrup. Additionally, ELISA and correlation analyses indicated attenuation of oxidative stress and immune response through metabolic remodeling. In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence for the neuroprotective effects of Anshen Bunao Syrup in AD models, shedding light on its potential as a therapeutic agent for AD prevention and treatment.

Effects of synergistic Fenton-microwave treatment on the antioxidant stress of soluble polysaccharides and the physicochemical properties of insoluble polysaccharides from Gelidium amansii

In this study, we individually obtained crude Gelidium amansii water-soluble polysaccharides and water-insoluble polysaccharides (GAIPs) using an improved Fenton-microwave synergistic treatment. The former were purified by alcohol precipitation and deproteinization to obtain Gelidium amansii water-soluble polysaccharides (GASPs), and their effects on the oxidative stress resistance of Caenorhabditis elegans were investigated. GAIPs were studied for their physicochemical properties, including hydration characteristics, adsorption, and cation-exchange capacity. The results showed that compared with the negative control, 1.0 mg/mL GASPs significantly upregulated (>1.70-fold) the expression of antioxidant-related genes, such as daf-16, sir-2.1, and skn-1 (p < 0.05), which prolonged the mean survival time and increased the mean number of head bobbing (p < 0.05). The hydration characteristics and oil-holding capacity of GAIPs were lower than those of G. amansii powder (GAP) and G. amansii filtrate residue (GADP). However, the adsorption capacity of GAIPs for cholesterol (pH 7.0) and sodium cholate and the cation-exchange capacity were significantly better than those of GAP (5.17, 13.16 & 1.63 times, p < 0.05) and GADP (8.42, 6.39, & 2.05 times, p < 0.05). To conclude, the synergistic Fenton-microwave treatment contributed to the increase in the oxidative stress resistance of GASPs and improved the adsorption capacity and cation-exchange capacity of GAIPs.

The role of Caenorhabditis elegans in the discovery of natural products for healthy aging

Covering: 2012 to 2023The human population is aging. Thus, the greatest risk factor for numerous diseases, such as diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, is increasing worldwide. Age-related diseases do not typically occur in isolation, but as a result of multi-factorial causes, which in turn require holistic approaches to identify and decipher the mode of action of potential remedies. With the advent of C. elegans as the primary model organism for aging, researchers now have a powerful in vivo tool for identifying and studying agents that effect lifespan and health span. Natural products have been focal research subjects in this respect. This review article covers key developments of the last decade (2012-2023) that have led to the discovery of natural products with healthy aging properties in C. elegans. We (i) discuss the state of knowledge on the effects of natural products on worm aging including methods, assays and involved pathways; (ii) analyze the literature on natural compounds in terms of their molecular properties and the translatability of effects on mammals; (iii) examine the literature on multi-component mixtures with special attention to the studied organisms, extraction methods and efforts regarding the characterization of their chemical composition and their bioactive components. (iv) We further propose to combine small in vivo model organisms such as C. elegans and sophisticated analytical approaches ("wormomics") to guide the way to dissect complex natural products with anti-aging properties.

Hawthorn fruit extract ameliorates H2O2-induced oxidative damage in neuronal PC12 cells and prolongs the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via the IIS signaling pathway

Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) fruit has a long history of use as traditional Chinese medicine and is shown to have many health benefits including antioxidant and anti-aging. In this study, the anti-aging mechanism of hawthorn fruit extract (HFE) is predicted by network pharmacology and further verified in H₂O₂-induced PC12 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans. Network pharmacology predicted that the antiaging mechanism of HFE is mainly involved in phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IIS) signaling pathway. HFE significantly improved cell viability, increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity, decreased lactate dehydrogenase release, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde content in H₂O₂-induced PC12 cells (p < 0.05). HFE significantly increased the mean lifespan of C. elegans by 28.43% (100 μg mL^-1) and enhanced the stress resistance to H₂O₂, paraquat, juglone, ultraviolet radiation, and heat shock. HFE also suppressed the accumulation of aging pigments, improved the body bending ability, increased antioxidant enzyme activities, and reduced the contents of ROS and malondialdehyde. In addition, relevant gene expression, lifespan experiments with mutant strains, and molecular docking studies supported the results that HFE might extend lifespan through the IIS signal pathway.

Physicochemical characterization of a fern polysaccharide from Alsophila spinulosa leaf and its anti-aging activity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Alsophila spinulosa , as a rare tree fern with potential medicinal value, has attracted extensive attention. Herein, the physicochemical properties, antioxidant and anti-aging activities of polysaccharide from A. spinulosa leaf (ALP) were investigated. ALP was composed of galactose, arabinose, glucose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, mannose, and fucose. (1→), (1→6), and (1→2) bond types were the primary glycosidic bond in ALP. Surprisingly, ALP displayed the wonderful activity of antioxidant and anti-aging, including excellent scavenging ability against DPPH and ABTS radicals in vitro ; prolonging the life span, improving activity of antioxidative enzymes (SOD and CAT), and decreasing the level of ROS, MDA in Caenorhabditis elegans . Meanwhile, ALP promoted DAF-16 to move into the nuclear. Overall, our results illustrated that ALP could be further developed as a functional food ingredient.

Ginseng volatile oil prolongs the lifespan and healthspan of Caenorhabditis elegans

Ginseng volatile oil (GVO) is one of the main components of ginseng and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to characterize GVO chemical composition, and 73 volatile components were detected from GVO. Caenorhabditis elegans was used as animal model to further elucidate the antioxidant and anti-aging effects of GVO in vivo. The results suggested that GVO significantly prolonged the lifespan of C. elegans and promoted its health without damaging its reproductive capacity. In addition, GVO increased the antioxidant capacity and survival rate of nematodes after heat shock. Transcriptional sequencing showed that autophagy-related genes atg-4.2, atg-7, lgg-2, and cyd-1 were up-regulated, and superoxide dismutase 1 (sod-1) expression was increased after GVO pretreatment. Considering the role of autophagy and antioxidant in aging, the expression of autophagy substrate P62 protein in BC12921 strain was analyzed and found to decrease by more than 50.00% after treatment with GVO. In addition, the lifespan of SOD-1 mutant nematodes was not significantly different from that of the control group. SOD activity and autophagy were activated, which is a clear expression of hormesis. All these results suggest that GVO prolongs the lifespan and healthspan of C. elegans, and its biological functions may be related to hormesis.

Scorpion Venom Heat–Resistant Synthesized Peptide Increases Stress Resistance and Extends the Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via the Insulin/IGF-1-Like Signal Pathway

Improving healthy life expectancy by targeting aging-related pathological changes has been the spotlight of geroscience. Scorpions have been used in traditional medicine in Asia and Africa for a long time. We have isolated heat-resistant peptides from scorpion venom of Buthusmartensii Karsch (SVHRP) and found that SVHRP can attenuate microglia activation and protect Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) against β-amyloid toxicity. Based on the amino acid sequence of these peptides, scorpion venom heat–resistant synthesized peptide (SVHRSP) was prepared using polypeptide synthesis technology. In the present study, we used C. elegans as a model organism to assess the longevity-related effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of SVHRSP in vivo. The results showed that SVHRSP could prolong the lifespan of worms and significantly improve the age-related physiological functions of worms. SVHRSP increases the survival rate of larvae under oxidative and heat stress and decreases the level of reactive oxygen species and fat accumulation in vivo. Using gene-specific mutation of C. elegans, we found that SVHRSP-mediated prolongation of life depends on Daf-2, Daf-16, Skn-1, and Hsf-1 genes. These results indicate that the antiaging mechanism of SVHRSP in nematodes might be mediated by the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, SVHRSP could also up-regulate the expression of stress-inducing genes Hsp-16.2, Sod-3, Gei-7, and Ctl-1 associated with aging. In general, our study may have important implications for SVHRSP to promote healthy aging and provide strategies for research and development of drugs to treat age-related diseases.

Oxidation and Antioxidation of Natural Products in the Model Organism Caenorhabditiselegans

Natural products are small molecules naturally produced by multiple sources such as plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and archaea. They exert both beneficial and detrimental effects by modulating biological targets and pathways involved in oxidative stress and antioxidant response. Natural products’ oxidative or antioxidative properties are usually investigated in preclinical experimental models, including virtual computing simulations, cell and tissue cultures, rodent and nonhuman primate animal models, and human studies. Due to the renewal of the concept of experimental animals, especially the popularization of alternative 3R methods for reduction, replacement and refinement, many assessment experiments have been carried out in new alternative models. The model organism Caenorhabditis elegans has been used for medical research since Sydney Brenner revealed its genetics in 1974 and has been introduced into pharmacology and toxicology in the past two decades. The data from C. elegans have been satisfactorily correlated with traditional experimental models. In this review, we summarize the advantages of C. elegans in assessing oxidative and antioxidative properties of natural products and introduce methods to construct an oxidative damage model in C. elegans. The biomarkers and signaling pathways involved in the oxidative stress of C. elegans are summarized, as well as the oxidation and antioxidation in target organs of the muscle, nervous, digestive and reproductive systems. This review provides an overview of the oxidative and antioxidative properties of natural products based on the model organism C. elegans.

Inhibitory effects of modified gamgil-tang in a particulate matter-induced lung injury mouse model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The modified gamgil-tang (GGX) is a mixture of four herbal medicine including Platycodi Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Lonicerae Flos and Mori Radicis Cortex which has been traditionally used to treat lung and airway diseases to relieve symptoms like sore throat, cough, and sputum in Korea. Its major component chlorogenic acid had been reported to have antioxidant, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-microbial activity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To identify the inhibitory effect of GGX in a particulate matter (PM) induced lung injury mouse model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated NO production, the release of TNF-α and IFN-γ in PM-induced MH-S cells, and the number of neutrophils, immune cell subtypes, and the secretion of TNF-α, IL-17, CXCL-1, MIP-2 in the PM-stimulated mouse model to assess the inhibitory effect of GGX against PM. In addition, as exposure to PM increases respiratory symptoms, typically cough and sputum, we attempted to evaluate the antitussive and expectorant activities of GGX.

RESULTS

Our study provided evidence that GGX has inhibitory effects in PM-induced lung injury by inhibiting the increase in neutrophil and inflammatory mediators, deactivating T cells, and ameliorating lung tissue damage. Notably, GGX reduced PM-induced neutrophilic inflammation by attenuating the number of neutrophils and regulating the secretion of neutrophil-related cytokines and chemokines, such as TNF-α, IL-17, MIP2, and CXCL-1. In addition, GGX demonstrated an antitussive activity by significantly reducing citric acid-induced cough frequency and delaying the latent period and expectorant activities by the increased phenol red secretion compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

GGX is expected to be an effective herbal remedy to prevent PM-induced respiratory disease.

Effect of Natural Chinese Herbal Supplements (TCMF4) on Lactation Performance and Serum Biomarkers in Peripartal Dairy Cows

This study examined the effect of mixed medicinal herbs from China in the ground form on milk yield and various blood metabolites before and after parturition in Holstein cows. Crushed Agastache rugosus, Scutellaria barbata, Pericarpium citri reticulate, and Radix glycyrrhizae were used to develop TCMF4. Thirty-two Chinese Holstein cows were randomly divided into a control group or groups receiving 0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 kg TCMF4/cow/d from −7 through 21 d relative to parturition. Blood samples for serum isolation were collected at −7, −1, 1, 7, 14, and 21 d relative to parturition and used to measure glucose, β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), total protein, albumin, globulin, and alkaline phosphatase. Milk production was recorded daily for the first 21 d postpartum, and composition was analyzed at 7, 14, and 21 d. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for multiple comparisons. The average milk production during the first 21-d postpartum was 28.7 ± 6.9, 27.2 ± 7.1, 31.2 ± 6.8, and 38.5 ± 6.1 kg/d for control group and groups receiving 0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 kg TCMF4. Thus, average daily milk production increased between 9 to 34% by supplementation with TCMF4 compared with the control group. Compared with the control group, in the middle dose group, milk concentrations of lactose and total protein decreased by 21 and 19%, respectively, at d 7 around parturition, while total solids increased by 23% at d 21 in the high-dose group. Furthermore, compared with the control group, serum BHBA decreased by 50 and 20% at d −1 and 21 around parturition in the high-dose group. Overall, TCMF4 supplementation improved dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production of dairy cows during the periparturient period without adverse effects on liver function, and plasma BHBA concentrations of dairy cows tended to decrease when dietary TCMF4 increased, which suggested that TCMF4 might be used as potential additives in dairy cows to improve production performance.

Rice bran peptide KF-8 extends the lifespan and improves healthspan of Caenorhabditis elegans via skn-1 and daf-16

With the increased aging of the population, the extension of lifespan and the improvement of healthspan have become important. Our previous studies showed that the rice bran peptide KF-8 exerts...

Naringenin prolongs lifespan and delays aging mediated by IIS and MAPK in Caenorhabditis elegans

Naringenin (NN) is one of the most abundant flavonoids in citrus and grapefruits and has been shown to have antioxidant properties in vitro. The purpose of the study is to examine the antioxidant and anti-aging activities of NN in C. elegans, and to further explore the molecular mechanism. The results showed that NN enhanced the lifespan under normal and oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂. After treatment with NN, locomotion capability was improved and aging pigment accumulation was suppressed. NN also delayed the paralysis and reversed the defective chemotaxis behavior induced by Aβ protein. Meanwhile, the treatment with NN enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The possible targets and pathways interacting with NN were predicted by network pharmacology. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that NN upregulated the expression levels of daf-16, sek-1 and skn-1, downregulated the expression levels of daf-2, age-1 and akt-1, and further activated sod-3, ctl-1, ctl-2, gst-4 and mtl-1. Moreover, the selected mutant strains were used and molecular docking was conducted to further suggest that IIS and MAPK pathways could be involved in the NN-mediated longevity-promoting effect.

A promising strategy for investigating the anti-aging effect of natural compounds: a case study of caffeoylquinic acids

Caffeoylquinic acids, as plant-derived polyphenols, exhibit multiple biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activities. However, only limited information about their effect on longevity is available. In the current study, molecular docking was employed to explore the interactions between six representative caffeoylquinic acids and the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGFR), which is an important target protein for longevity. The results indicated that all six compounds were embedded well in the active pocket of IGFR, and that 3,5-diCQA exhibited the strongest affinity to IGFR. Moreover, ASP1153, GLU1080, ASP1086, and ARG1003 were the key amino acid residues during the interaction of these 6 compounds with IGFR. Furthermore, the lifespan extension effect of caffeoylquinic acids was evaluated in a Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model. The results revealed that all the caffeoylquinic acids significantly extended the lifespan of wild-type worms, of which 3,5-diCQA was the most potent compound. Meanwhile, 3,5-diCQA enhanced the healthspan by increasing the body bending and pharyngeal pumping rates and reducing the intestinal lipofuscin level. Further studies demonstrated that 3,5-diCQA induced longevity effects by downregulating the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) pathway. This study suggested that the combination of molecular docking and genetic analysis of specific worm mutants could be a promising strategy to reveal the anti-aging mechanisms of small molecule natural compounds.

The aqueous extract of Fridericia chica grown in northern Colombia ameliorates toxicity induced by Tergitol on Caenorhabditis elegans

The aqueous extract of fallen leaves from Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L.G. Lohmann is utilized as a remedy in communities at northern Colombia. Traditional uses include wound healing, gastrointestinal inflammation, leukemia and psoriasis, among others. The aims of this research were to evaluate the potential of the aqueous extract of fallen leaves of F. chica (AEFchica) to inhibit ethoxylated nonylphenol (Tergitol)-induced toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans; and to identify its main components. The pharmacological properties of AEFchica was evaluated using a Tergitol-induced toxicity model in Caenorhabditis elegans. Lethality, locomotion, reproduction, and DAF-16 nuclear translocation were quantified. The chemical composition of AEFchica was carried out using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. AEFchica induced very little lethality on C. elegans (5.6%) even at high concentrations (10,000 μg/mL). The extract had no effect on locomotion impairing induced by ethoxylated nonylphenol. However, AEFchica (1000 μg/mL) abrogated Tergitol-induced mortality, recovering up to 53.3% of the nematodes from lethality induced by 10 mM Tergitol. Similarly, it also blocked Tergitol-dependent reproduction inhibition (82.1% recovery), as well as DAF-16 nuclear translocation (>95%), suggesting a prominent role on oxidative stress control. The chemical analysis indicated the presence of a great variety of molecules with known antioxidant, metabolic and immune modulator properties, such as hydroxylated methoxy flavones, N-methyl-1-deoxynojirimycin, and rehmaionoside A. In short, the aqueous extract of F. chica protects C. elegans from the deleterious effects of Tergitol on lethality, reproduction and oxidative stress involving DAF-16-mediated pathway. This extract is a promising source of bioactive phytochemicals for multi-target pharmacological purposes.

A Systematic Review of Antiaging Effects of 23 Traditional Chinese Medicines

BACKGROUND

Aging is an inevitable stage of body development. At the same time, aging is a major cause of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Chinese herbal medicine is a natural substance that can effectively delay aging and is expected to be developed as antiaging drugs in the future. Aim of the review. This paper reviews the antiaging effects of 23 traditional Chinese herbal medicines or their active components. Materials and methods. We reviewed the literature published in the last five years on Chinese herbal medicines or their active ingredients and their antiaging role obtained through the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science.

RESULTS

A total of 2485 papers were found, and 212 papers were screened after removing the duplicates and reading the titles. Twenty-three studies met the requirements of this review and were included. Among these studies, 13 articles used Caenorhabditis elegans as the animal model, and 10 articles used other animal models or cell lines.

CONCLUSION

Chinese herbal medicines or their active components play an antiaging role by regulating genes related to aging through a variety of signaling pathways. Chinese herbal medicines are expected to be developed as antiaging drugs or used in the medical cosmetology industry.

SKN-1 is involved in combination of apple peels and blueberry extracts synergistically protecting against oxidative stress in Caenorhabditis elegans

Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced risk of age-related functional declines and chronic diseases, primarily attributed to their bioactive phytochemicals. Apples and blueberries are rich in phytochemicals with a wide range of biological activities and health benefits. Our previous research has shown the combination of apple peel extracts (APE) and blueberry extracts (BE) can synergistically promote the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The objectives of this study were to determine whether the extension of lifespan was involved in regulation of oxidative stress, and to explore the underlying mechanisms of action. The results showed that the combination of APE and BE could synergistically ameliorate oxidative stress by improving antioxidant enzyme activities and enhancing resistance to paraquat. Meanwhile, treatment with APE plus BE could down-regulate the overexpression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and affect the expression of antioxidant related genes, including sod-3, cat-1, ctl-1, skn-1, mev-1 and isp-1. However, administration with APE plus BE abolished the extension of the lifespan of skn-1(zu135) mutants, and inhibited the expression of skn-1 downstream genes, including gcs-1, gst-4 and gst-7. In addition, supplementation with APE plus BE could promote the migration of SKN-1 into the nucleus, which eliminated improvement to ROS and paraquat. In conclusion, the combination of APE and BE could synergistically protect against oxidative stress in C. elegans via the SKN-1/Nrf2 pathway. This study provided the theoretical basis to explore the combination of phytochemicals in the prevention of aging regulated by oxidative stress.

Health and longevity studies in C. elegans: the "healthy worm database" reveals strengths, weaknesses and gaps of test compound-based studies

Several biogerontology databases exist that focus on genetic or gene expression data linked to health as well as survival, subsequent to compound treatments or genetic manipulations in animal models. However, none of these has yet collected experimental results of compound-related health changes. Since quality of life is often regarded as more valuable than length of life, we aim to fill this gap with the “Healthy Worm Database” (http://healthy-worm-database.eu). Literature describing health-related compound studies in the aging model Caenorhabditis elegans was screened, and data for 440 compounds collected. The database considers 189 publications describing 89 different phenotypes measured in 2995 different conditions. Besides enabling a targeted search for promising compounds for further investigations, this database also offers insights into the research field of studies on healthy aging based on a frequently used model organism. Some weaknesses of C. elegans-based aging studies, like underrepresented phenotypes, especially concerning cognitive functions, as well as the convenience-based use of young worms as the starting point for compound treatment or phenotype measurement are discussed. In conclusion, the database provides an anchor for the search for compounds affecting health, with a link to public databases, and it further highlights some potential shortcomings in current aging research.

In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and chemical composition of Renealmia petasites Gagnep

The study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and the anti-inflammatory activity of the hydroethanolic rhizomes, stems, and leaf extracts of Renealmia petasites using in vitro and in vivo assays. The chemical composition of the extracts was characterized in a linear iron trap mass spectrometer. Total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin content were determined by spectrophotometry analyses. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was investigated in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages evaluating the influence on the production of superoxide anion (O₂^-), nitric oxide (NO), and the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In vivo effects were determined using the air pouch model in which were inoculated carrageenan and thereafter treated with 50 mg/kg of the hydroethanolic extracts of R. petasites. After 4 and 24 h, the cellular influx, protein exudation, cytokines, and nitric oxide were evaluated. Eight compounds were tentatively identified in the R. petasites extracts, suggesting five diarylheptanoids, one flavonoid, and two fatty alcohols. The in vitro results showed that the extracts were capable of blocking free radicals and/or inhibiting their intracellular actions by inhibiting the production of important mediators of the inflammatory process, such as NO, O₂^-, TNF-α, and IL-6. In vivo, R. petasites significantly decrease the influx of leukocytes, mainly neutrophils, protein exudation, NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 concentration in the air pouch model. The results evidenced that R. petasites can be considered a promising alternative therapy for the treatment and management of osteoarthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

Betula utilis extract prolongs life expectancy, protects against amyloid-β toxicity and reduces Alpha Synuclien in Caenorhabditis elegans via DAF-16 and SKN-1

Betula utilis (BU), an important medicinal plant that grows in high altitudes of the Himalayan region, has been utilized traditionally due to it's antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and anti-tumor properties. Here, we demonstrated the longevity and amyloid-β toxicity attenuating activity of B. utilis ethanolic extract (BUE) in Caenorhabditis elegans. Lifespan of the worms was observed under both the standard laboratory and stress (oxidative and thermal) conditions. Effect of BUE was also observed on the attenuation of age-dependent physiological parameters. Further, gene-specific mutants and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged strains were used to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the beneficial effects mediated by BUE supplementation. Our results showed that BUE (50 μg/ml) extended the mean lifespan of C. elegans by 35.99% and increased its survival under stress conditions. The BUE also reduced the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 22.47%. A delayed amyloid-β induced paralyses was observed in CL4176 transgenic worms. Interestingly, the BUE supplementation was also able to reduce the α-synuclein aggregation in NL5901 transgenic strain. Gene-specific mutant studies suggested that the BUE-mediated lifespan extension was dependent on daf-16, hsf-1, and skn-1 but not on sir-2.1 gene. Furthermore, transgenic reporter gene expression assay showed that BUE treatment enhanced the expression of stress-protective genes such as sod-3 and gst-4. Present findings suggested that ROS scavenging activity, together with multiple longevity mechanisms, were involved in BUE-mediated lifespan extension. Thus, BUE might have potential to increase the lifespan and to attenuate neuro-related disease progression.

Raspberry extract promoted longevity and stress toleranceviathe insulin/IGF signaling pathway and DAF-16 inCaenorhabditis elegans

Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of age-related functional decline and chronic diseases, which is primarily attributed to phytochemicals.

Effect of Euphorbia factor L1 on intestinal barrier impairment and defecation dysfunction in Caenorhabditis elegans

BACKGROUND

Euphorbia factor L1 (EFL1) is a lathyrane-type diterpenoid from the medicinal herb Euphorbia lathyris L., and has been reported with intestinal toxicity, but the potential mechanisms remain unknown.

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to investigate the intestinal toxicity of EFL1 and the underlying mechanisms using nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

METHODS

C. elegans were exposed to 0-200 μM EFL1 for 72 h, then the survival rate, body length and body width, locomotion and chemoreception behavior, intestinal ROS and lipofuscin accumulation, intestinal permeability, and defecation rhythm were detected. The γ-aminobutyric acid（GABA) energic neurons AVL and DVB were shown via green fluorescent protein under a laser scanning confocal microscope. The structure of GABA transporter UNC-47 were predicted by homology modeling, and the interaction between EFL1 and UNC-47 was simulated by molecular docking. The mRNA expression of genes related to oxidative stress, intestinal permeability and defecation after EFL1 exposure were detected by RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

EFL1 did not induce lethality of nematodes. The general toxicity was characterized by abnormal growth, locomotion and chemoreception. The intestinal barrier was leaky, due to down-regulated cell junction and active cation transport. The mean defecation cycle length in nematodes was decreased, relating to disorder vesicular and ion transport, enhanced rhythm behavior and muscle contraction. The dysfunctional defecation also attributed to injured UNC-47 protein, as well as GABAergic neurons AVL and DVB. Excessive ROS and lipofuscin accumulation were observed in intestine, along with activation of antioxidant enzymes of SOD, COQ7 and CAT.

CONCLUSION

This study elucidated the EFL1-induced intestinal toxicity in nematodes, characterized as leaky intestinal barrier and accelerated defecation behavior. The underlying mechanisms were involved in oxidative stress, cell junctions, transportation, rhythm behavior, muscle contraction, and GABAergic neurons.

Gliadin Intake Causes Disruption of the Intestinal Barrier and an Increase in Germ Cell Apoptosis in A Caenorhabditis Elegans Model

Gliadin is a major protein component of gluten and causes gluten toxicity through intestinal stress. We previously showed that gliadin intake induces oxidative stress in the intestine and reduces fertility in a Caenorhabditis elegans model. To elucidate the possible link between intestinal stress and reproduction, changes in the intestine and germ cells of C. elegans after gliadin intake were examined at the molecular level. Gliadin intake increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the intestine, decreased intestinal F-actin levels, and increased germ cell apoptosis. These gliadin-triggered effects were suppressed by antioxidant treatment. These results suggest that ROS production in the intestine induced by gliadin intake causes disruption of intestinal integrity and increases germ cell apoptosis. Gliadin-induced germ cell apoptosis (GIGA) was suppressed by depletion of cep-1, ced-13, egl-1, or mpk-1. However, HUS-1 was not activated, suggesting that GIGA is activated through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and is CEP-1-dependent but is a separate pathway from that controlling the DNA damage response. Taken together, our results suggest that gliadin causes intestinal barrier disruption through ROS production and interacts with the germ cells to reduce fertility through GIGA.

Isoliquiritigenin exerts antioxidant activity in Caenorhabditis elegans via insulin-like signaling pathway and SKN-1

BACKGROUND

Glycyrrhiza uralensis is a well-known medicinal plant. Different therapeutic effects have been reported for its secondary metabolites, including neuroprotective activity. Antioxidant properties have also been documented for some of its compounds and it could be a possible mechanism of neuroprotection.

PURPOSE

The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant effect and underlying pathways of G. uralensis and its main compounds.

METHODS

The experiments were conducted with Caenorhabditis elegans, a simple in vivo model, widely used in this context. The methanol extract of G. uralensis and its main compounds isoliquiritigenin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid, and glycyrrhetinic acid were tested for their effects on heat shock protein expression under mild oxidative stress and survival rate under lethal oxidative stress. To clarify the underlying pathways, the effect on the transcription factors DAF-16, SKN-1, and HSF-1 was tested.

RESULTS

Isoliquiritigenin was the most potent compound in both assays, leading to a 31% decrease in expression of the stress marker heat shock protein and an 87% increase in survival rate. It significantly activated DAF-16 and SKN-1, but not HSF-1.

CONCLUSION

The present study identified isoliquiritigenin as the most active antioxidant compound in G. uralensis. It exerts its effect by activating the transcription factors DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/Nrf2 which regulate many genes, including those which code for proteins of antioxidative response. This implicates isoliquiritigenin as a possible supplement drug against oxidative stress especially in neurodegenerative diseases.

A circular RNA circ_0000115 in response to graphene oxide in nematodes

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in regulating various biological processes; however, their roles in regulating the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are still unclear. Based on Illumina HiSeq2500 sequencing, we here identified 43 dysregulated circRNAs in graphene oxide (GO) (1 mg L⁻¹) exposed nematodes. Five of these candidate circRNAs could be further dysregulated by GO exposure in the range of μg L⁻¹. Using the RNA interference (RNAi) technique, we found that the alteration in expressions of circ_0000115, circ_0000247, and circ_0000665 mediated a protective response to GO exposure; however, the alteration in expressions of circ_0000201 and circ_0000308 mediated the toxicity induction of GO. In nematodes, the circ_0000115 acted in certain tissues (intestine and neurons) to regulate GO toxicity. Moreover, an intermediate filament protein IFC-2 required for intestinal development was identified as a target of circ_0000115 in regulating the GO toxicity. In the intestine, intestinal IFC-2 acted further upstream of FOXO transcriptional factor DAF-16 in the insulin signaling pathway to regulate the GO toxicity. Therefore, intestinal circ_0000115 in the signaling cascade of circ_0000115-IFC-2-DAF-16 regulates the GO toxicity by modulating the function of IFC-2.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in regulating various biological processes; however, their roles in regulating the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are still unclear.

Lonicera japonica extends lifespan and healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans

Lonicera japonica (LJ) is widely used as the local medicine to improve body and prevent ills in China, but mechanisms of its healthy beneficial effects remain largely unclear. Here, we evaluated the anti-aging and healthspan promoting activities of 75% ethanol extract of LJ (LJ-E) in the animal model Caenorhabditis elegans. Our results showed that LJ-E (500 μg/mL) treatment enhanced the mean lifespan of worms by over 21.87% and significantly improved age-associated physiological functions in C. elegans. The 500 μg/mL concentration of LJ-E enhanced the survival rates under oxidative and thermal stresses, and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and fat accumulation in the worms. Gene-specific mutant studies showed that LJ-E-mediated lifespan extension was dependent on mev-1, daf-2, daf-16, and hsf-1, but not eat-2 genes. LJ-E could upregulate stress-inducible genes, viz., hsp-16.2, sod-3 and mtl-1. Moreover, we found that the D1086.10 protein interacted with superoxide dismutase (SOD)-3 by functional protein association networks analysis according to RNA-sequencing results. It was confirmed that D1086.10 was needed to promote longevity, and positively regulated expression of sod-3 by using D1086.10 mutants. Furthermore, LJ-E significantly delayed amyloid β-protein induced paralysis in CL4176 strain. Given the important role of autophagy in aging and protein homeostasis, we observed that LJ-E could remarkably increase the mRNA expression of autophagy gene bec-1 in CL4176 strain, and decrease expression of autophagy substrate p62 protein by more than 40.0% in BC12921 strain. Finally, we found that combination composed of three major compounds (54 μg/mL chlorogenic acid, 15 μg/mL 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 7.5 μg/mL 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid) of 500 μg/mL LJ-E could significantly delay paralysis in CL4176 worms caused by Aβ toxicity, comparable to that of LJ-E. Overall, our study may have important implications in using Lonicera japonica to promote healthy aging and have a potency to design therapeutics for age-related diseases.

Molecular basis for oxidative stress induced by simulated microgravity in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans is an important in vivo assay system for toxicological studies. Herein, we investigated the role of oxidative stress and the underlying molecular mechanism for induced adverse effects of simulated microgravity. In nematodes, simulated microgravity treatment induced a significant induction of oxidative stress. Genes (mev-1, gas-1, and isp-1) encoding a molecular machinery for the control of oxidative stress were found to be dysregulated in simulated microgravity treated nematodes. Meanwhile, genes (sod-2, sod-3, sod-4, sod-5, aak-2, skn-1, and gst-4) encoding certain antioxidant defense systems were increased in simulated microgravity treated nematodes. Mutation of mev-1, gas-1, sod-2, sod-3, aak-2, skn-1, or gst-4 enhanced susceptibility to oxidative stress induced by simulated microgravity, whereas mutation of isp-1 induced a resistance to oxidative stress induced by simulated microgravity. Mutation of sod-2, sod-3, or aak-2 further suppressed the recovery effect of simulated microgravity toxicity in nematodes after simulated microgravity treatment for 1h. Moreover, administration of ascorbate could inhibit the adverse effects including the induction of oxidative stress in simulated microgravity treated nematodes. Mutation of any of the genes encoding metallothioneins or the genes of hsp-16.1, hsp-16.2 and hsp-16.48 encoding heat-shock proteins did not affect the induction of oxidative stress in simulated microgravity treated nematodes. Our results provide a molecular basis for the induction of oxidative stress in simulated microgravity treated organisms.

High-efficiency generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from human foreskin fibroblast cells using the Sagunja-tang herbal formula

Background

Sagunja-Tang (SGT-4) is a traditional herbal formula in Korean medicine that is used to treat anti-metabolic syndrome, and has antioxidant activity. In this study, we evaluated the effects of SGT-4 on the formation efficiency of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) by four reprogramming transcription factors: Oct4, Sox2, KIf4, and c-Myc (OSKM).

Methods

SGT-4 contained four different herbal medicines that are composed of Ginseng Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, and Poria Sclerotium. The composition of SGT-4 was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HFFs were transfected with episomal vectors contained by four OSKM. Western blotting, RT-PCR, immunofluroescence, and in vitro differentiation were used to assess the pluripotency of the iPSC cells.

Results

SGT-4 exhibited antioxidant activity against the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as promoted the activation of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase, gluthathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), and glutathione (GSH). Moreover, the ATP level was not significantly fluctuated depending on the concentration of SGT-4 in the hiPSCs.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the SGT-4, herbal formula significantly increases the efficiency of human iPSC generation via the transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, KIf4, and c-Myc).