Epigallocatechin-3-gallate promotes healthy lifespan through mitohormesis during early-to-mid adulthood in Caenorhabditis elegans

Photodynamic treatment increases the lifespan and oxidative stress resistance of Caenorhabditis elegans

Photodynamic therapy is a noninvasive treatment in which specific photosensitizers and light are used to produce high amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can be employed for targeted tissue destruction in cancer treatment or antimicrobial therapy. However, it remains unknown whether lower amounts of ROS produced by mild photodynamic therapy increase lifespan and stress resistance at the organism level. Here, we introduce a novel photodynamic treatment (PDTr) that uses 20 μM hypericin, a photosensitizer that originates from Hypericum perforatum, and orange light (590 nm, 5.4 W/m2, 1 min) to induce intracellular ROS formation (ROS), thereby resulting in lifespan extension and improved stress resistance in C. elegans. The PDTr-induced increase in longevity was abrogated by N-acetyl cysteine, suggesting the hormetic response was driven by prooxidative mechanisms. PDTr activated the translocation of SKN-1/NRF-2 and DAF-16/FOXO, leading to elevated expression of downstream oxidative stress-responsive genes, including ctl-1, gst-4, and sod-3. In summary, our findings suggest a novel PDTr method that extends the lifespan of C. elegans under both normal and oxidative stress conditions through the activation of SKN-1 and DAF-16 via the involvement of many antioxidant genes.

Unraveling anti-aging mystery of green tea in C. elegans: Chemical truth and multiple mechanisms

Tea drinking impacts aging and aging-related diseases. However, knowledge of anti-aging molecules other than the major catechins in complex tea extracts remains limited. Here we used Caenorhabditis elegans to analyze the longevity effects of tea extracts and constituents comprehensively. We found that the hot water extract of green tea prolonged lifespan and heathspan. Further, the MeOH fraction prolonged lifespan significantly longer than other fractions. Correlation analysis between mass spectroscopic data and anti-aging activity suggests that ester-type catechins (ETCs) are the major anti-aging components, including 4 common ETCs, 6 phenylpropanoid-substituted ester-type catechins (PSECs), 5 cinnamoylated catechins (CCs), 7 ester-type flavoalkaloids (ETFs), and 4 cinnamoylated flavoalkaloids (CFs). CFs (200 μM) are the strongest anti-aging ETCs (with the longest 73% lifespan extension). Green tea hot water extracts and ETCs improved healthspan by enhancing stress resistance and reducing ROS accumulation. The mechanistic study suggests that they work by multiple pathways. Moreover, ETCs modulated gut microbial homeostasis, increased the content of short-chain fatty acids, and reduced fat content. Altogether, our study provides new evidence for the anti-aging benefits of green tea and insights into a deep understanding of the chemical truth and multi-target mechanism.

Protective effects of EGCG on acrolein-induced Caenorhabditis elegans and its mechanism of life extension

In this study, it was found that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) could extend the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) induced by 100 μM acrolein (ACR) at all test concentrations (300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 μM). Notably, 500 μM EGCG exhibited the most significant mean lifespan extension, increasing it by approximately 32.5%. Furthermore, 500 μM EGCG effectively reduced elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipofuscin production caused by acrolein. It also bolstered the activity of antioxidant enzymes and mitigated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared to the ACR-only group. These effects appeared independent of dietary restrictions. Additionally, qPCR results revealed different changes in the transcription levels of 11 genes associated with antioxidative and anti-aging functions following EGCG treatment. At the expression level, GST-4::GFP, SOD-3::GFP and HSP-16.2::GFP exhibited an initial increase with ACR treatment followed by a decrease with EGCG treatment, while the expression pattern of these three GFPs remained consistent with the enzyme activity and transcription regulation level. EGCG treatment also reduced the nuclear localization of SKN-1 and DAF-16 in the MAPK and IIS pathways that were enhanced by ACR. Moreover, the longevity-promoting effects of EGCG were diminished or absent in 13 longevity gene-deletion mutants. In conclusion, EGCG demonstrates protective effects on ACR-induced C. elegans, with the IIS and MAPK pathways playing a critical role in enhancing resilience to ACR.

Scientific evidence of foods that improve the lifespan and healthspan of different organisms

Age is a risk factor for numerous diseases. Although the development of modern medicine has greatly extended the human lifespan, the duration of relatively healthy old age, or 'healthspan', has not increased. Targeting the detrimental processes that can occur before the onset of age-related diseases can greatly improve health and lifespan. Healthspan is significantly affected by what, when and how much one eats. Dietary restriction, including calorie restriction, fasting or fasting-mimicking diets, to extend both lifespan and healthspan has recently attracted much attention. However, direct scientific evidence that consuming specific foods extends the lifespan and healthspan seems lacking. Here, we synthesized the results of recent studies on the lifespan and healthspan extension properties of foods and their phytochemicals in various organisms to confirm how far the scientific research on the effect of food on the lifespan has reached.

Therapeutic potential of berries in age-related neurological disorders

Aging significantly impacts several age-related neurological problems, such as stroke, brain tumors, oxidative stress, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia), neuroinflammation, and neurotoxicity. Current treatments for these conditions often come with side effects like hallucinations, dyskinesia, nausea, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal distress. Given the widespread availability and cultural acceptance of natural remedies, research is exploring the potential effectiveness of plants in common medicines. The ancient medical system used many botanical drugs and medicinal plants to treat a wide range of diseases, including age-related neurological problems. According to current clinical investigations, berries improve motor and cognitive functions and protect against age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, berries may influence signaling pathways critical to neurotransmission, cell survival, inflammation regulation, and neuroplasticity. The abundance of phytochemicals in berries is believed to contribute to these potentially neuroprotective effects. This review aimed to explore the potential benefits of berries as a source of natural neuroprotective agents for age-related neurological disorders.

Low-Molecular Weight Compounds that Extend the Chronological Lifespan of Yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Yeast is an excellent model organism for research for regulating aging and lifespan, and the studies have made many contributions to date, including identifying various factors and signaling pathways related to aging and lifespan. More than 20 years have passed since molecular biological perspectives are adopted in this research field, and intracellular factors and signal pathways that control aging and lifespan have evolutionarily conserved from yeast to mammals. Furthermore, these findings have been applied to control the aging and lifespan of various model organisms by adjustment of the nutritional environment, genetic manipulation, and drug treatment using low-molecular weight compounds. Among these, drug treatment is easier than the other methods, and research into drugs that regulate aging and lifespan is consequently expected to become more active. Chronological lifespan, a definition of yeast lifespan, refers to the survival period of a cell population under nondividing conditions. Herein, low-molecular weight compounds are summarized that extend the chronological lifespan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, along with their intracellular functions. The low-molecular weight compounds are also discussed that extend the lifespan of other model organisms. Compounds that have so far only been studied in yeast may soon extend lifespan in other organisms.

Antioxidants green tea extract and nordihydroguaiaretic acid confer species and strain-specific lifespan and health effects in Caenorhabditis nematodes

The Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program (CITP) is an NIH-funded research consortium of investigators who conduct analyses at three independent sites to identify chemical interventions that reproducibly promote health and lifespan in a robust manner. The founding principle of the CITP is that compounds with positive effects across a genetically diverse panel of Caenorhabditis species and strains are likely engaging conserved biochemical pathways to exert their effects. As such, interventions that are broadly efficacious might be considered prominent compounds for translation for pre-clinical research and human clinical applications. Here, we report results generated using a recently streamlined pipeline approach for the evaluation of the effects of chemical compounds on lifespan and health. We studied five compounds previously shown to extend C. elegans lifespan or thought to promote mammalian health: 17α-estradiol, acarbose, green tea extract, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and rapamycin. We found that green tea extract and nordihydroguaiaretic acid extend Caenorhabditis lifespan in a species-specific manner. Additionally, these two antioxidants conferred assay-specific effects in some studies-for example, decreasing survival for certain genetic backgrounds in manual survival assays in contrast with extended lifespan as assayed using automated C. elegans Lifespan Machines. We also observed that GTE and NDGA impact on older adult mobility capacity is dependent on genetic background, and that GTE reduces oxidative stress resistance in some Caenorhabditis strains. Overall, our analysis of the five compounds supports the general idea that genetic background and assay type can influence lifespan and health effects of compounds, and underscores that lifespan and health can be uncoupled by chemical interventions.

Redox regulation in lifespan determination

One of the major challenges that remain in the fields of aging and lifespan determination concerns the precise roles that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play in these processes. ROS, including superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, are constantly generated as byproducts of aerobic metabolism, as well as in response to endogenous and exogenous cues. While ROS accumulation and oxidative damage were long considered to constitute some of the main causes of age-associated decline, more recent studies reveal a signaling role in the aging process. In fact, accumulation of ROS, in a spatiotemporal manner, can trigger beneficial cellular responses that promote longevity and healthy aging. In this review, we discuss the importance of timing and compartmentalization of external and internal ROS perturbations in organismal lifespan and the role of redox regulated pathways.

Phyto-therapeutics as anti-cancer agents in breast cancer: Pathway targeting and mechanistic elucidation

Cancer of the breast is the mainly prevalent class of cancer in females diagnosed over the globe. It also happens to be the 2nd most prevalent reason of cancer-related deaths among females worldwide. Some of the most common type's therapies for carcinoma of the breast involve radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and resection. Many studies are being conducted to develop new therapeutic strategies for better diagnosis of breast cancer. An enormous number of anticancer medications have been developed as a result of growing understanding of the molecular pathways behind the advancement of cancer. Over the past few decades, the general survival rate has not greatly increased due to the usage of chemically manufactured medications. Therefore, in order to increase the effectiveness of current cancer treatments, new tactics and cutting-edge chemoprevention drugs are required. Phytochemicals, which are naturally occurring molecules derived from plants, are important sources for both cancer therapy and innovative medication development. These phytochemicals frequently work by controlling molecular pathways linked to the development and spread of cancer. Increasing antioxidant status, inactivating carcinogens, preventing proliferation, causing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and immune system control are some of the specific ways. This primary objective of this review is to provide an overview of the active ingredients found in natural goods, including information on their pharmacologic action, molecular targets, and current state of knowledge. We have given a thorough description of a number of natural substances that specifically target the pathways linked to breast carcinoma in this study. We've conducted a great deal of study on a few natural compounds that may help us identify novel targets for the detection of breast carcinoma.

Hormesis determines lifespan

This paper addresses how long lifespan can be extended via multiple interventions, such as dietary supplements [e.g., curcumin, resveratrol, sulforaphane, complex phytochemical mixtures (e.g., Moringa, Rhodiola)], pharmaceutical agents (e.g., metformin), caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, exercise and other activities. This evaluation was framed within the context of hormesis, a biphasic dose response with specific quantitative features describing the limits of biological/phenotypic plasticity for integrative biological endpoints (e.g., cell proliferation, memory, fecundity, growth, tissue repair, stem cell population expansion/differentiation, longevity). Evaluation of several hundred lifespan extending agents using yeast, nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans), multiple insect and other invertebrate and vertebrate models (e.g., fish, rodents), revealed they responded in a manner [average (mean/median) and maximum lifespans] consistent with the quantitative features [i.e., 30-60% greater at maximum (Hormesis Rule)] of the hormetic dose response. These lifespan extension features were independent of biological model, inducing agent, endpoints measured and mechanism. These findings indicate that hormesis describes the capacity to extend life via numerous agents and activities and that the magnitude of lifespan extension is modest, in the percentage, not fold, range. These findings have important implications for human aging, genetic diseases/environmental stresses and lifespan extension, as well as public health practices and long-term societal resource planning.

Hormesis defines the limits of lifespan

This commentary provides a novel synthesis of how biological systems adapt to a broad spectrum of environmental and age-related stresses that are underlying causes of numerous degenerative diseases and debilitating effects of aging. It proposes that the most fundamental, evolutionary-based integrative strategy to sustain and protect health is based on the concept of hormesis. This concept integrates anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and cellular repair responses at all levels of biological organization (i.e., cell, organ and organism) within the framework of biphasic dose responses that describe the quantitative limits of biological plasticity in all cells and organisms from bacteria and plants to humans. A major feature of the hormetic concept is that low levels of biological, chemical, physical and psychological stress upregulate adaptive responses that not only precondition, repair and restore normal functions to damaged tissues/organs but modestly overcompensate, reducing ongoing background damage, thereby enhancing health beyond that in control groups, lacking the low level "beneficial" stress. Higher doses of such stress often become counterproductive and eventually harmful. Hormesis is active throughout the life-cycle and can be diminished by aging processes affecting the onset and severity of debilitating conditions/diseases, especially in elderly subjects. The most significant feature of the hormetic dose response is that the limits of biological plasticity for adaptive processes are less than twice that of control group responses, with most, at maximum, being 30-60 % greater than control group values. Yet, these modest increases can make the difference between health or disease and living or dying. The quantitative features of these adaptive hormetic dose responses are also independent of mechanism. These features of the hormetic dose response determine the capacity to which systems can adapt/be protected, the extent to which biological performance (e.g., memory, resistance to injury/disease, wound healing, hair growth or lifespan) can be enhanced/extended and the extent to which synergistic interactions may occur. Hormesis defines the quantitative rules within which adaptive processes operate and is central to evolution and biology and should become transformational for experimental concepts and study design strategies, public health practices and a vast range of therapeutic strategies and interventions.

Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo model for the identification of natural antioxidants with anti-aging actions

Natural antioxidants have recently emerged as a highly exciting and significant topic in anti-aging research. Diverse organism models present a viable protocol for future research. Notably, many breakthroughs on natural antioxidants have been achieved in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, an animal model frequently utilized for the study of aging research and anti-aging drugs in vivo. Due to the conservation of signaling pathways on oxidative stress resistance, lifespan regulation, and aging disease between C. elegans and multiple high-level organisms (humans), as well as the low and controllable cost of time and labor, it gradually develops into a trustworthy in vivo model for high-throughput screening and validation of natural antioxidants with anti-aging actions. First, information and models on free radicals and aging are presented in this review. We also describe indexes, detection methods, and molecular mechanisms for studying the in vivo antioxidant and anti-aging effects of natural antioxidants using C. elegans. It includes lifespan, physiological aging processes, oxidative stress levels, antioxidant enzyme activation, and anti-aging pathways. Furthermore, oxidative stress and healthspan improvement induced by natural antioxidants in humans and C. elegans are compared, to understand the potential and limitations of the screening model in preclinical studies. Finally, we emphasize that C. elegans is a useful model for exploring more natural antioxidant resources and uncovering the mechanisms underlying aging-related risk factors and diseases.

The Antioxidative Effects of Flavones in Hypertensive Disease

Hypertension is the leading remediable risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the United States. Excess dietary salt consumption, which is a catalyst of hypertension, initiates an inflammatory cascade via activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). This pro-inflammatory response is driven primarily by sodium ions (Na+) transporting into APCs by the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and subsequent NADPH oxidase activation, leading to high levels of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, a well-known catalyst for hypertension-related illness development, disturbs redox homeostasis, which ultimately promotes lipid peroxidation, isolevuglandin production and an inflammatory response. Natural medicinal compounds derived from organic materials that are characterized by their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-mutagenic properties have recently gained traction amongst the pharmacology community due to their therapeutic effects. Flavonoids, a natural phenolic compound, have these therapeutic benefits and can potentially serve as anti-hypertensives. Flavones are a type of flavonoid that have increased anti-inflammatory effects that may allow them to act as therapeutic agents for hypertension, including diosmetin, which is able to induce significant arterial vasodilation in several different animal models. This review will focus on the activity of flavones to illuminate potential preventative and potential therapeutic mechanisms against hypertension.

Vitexin and isovitexin delayed ageing and enhanced stress-resistance through the activation of the SKN-1/Nrf2 signaling pathway

Vitexin and isovitexin, as potential SKN-1/Nrf2 (SKN-1 is a homologous protein of mammalian Nrf2) activators, extended lifespan and promoted healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans. This study aims to elucidate the role of SKN-1/Nrf2 in vitexin and isovitexin-induced anti-aging and stress-resistance. Vitexin and isovitexin upregulated antioxidant gene and protein expressions, reduced ROS accumulation, and increased SKN-1 accumulation in the nucleus. They prolonged lifespan and clear ROS during stressful conditions in a skn-1-dependent manner. skn-1 was also found to be necessary for these compounds-induced longevity under normal conditions. They were also witnessed to retard cellular senescence and scavenge ROS in senescent cells by directly binding to the pocket of Keap1 to promote the dissociation and activation of Nrf2. This study showed that SKN-1/Nrf2 signaling was vital to delaying ageing and enhancing anti-stress capacity with vitexin and isovitexin. The findings provide new insights into apigenin C-glycosides activating the SKN-1/Nrf2 pathway and demonstrate their potential as candidates for innovative strategies in chemoprophylaxis against ageing and oxidative-related diseases.

Mitochondrial targets exploration of epigallocatechin gallate and theaflavin in regards to differences in stress protection under different temperatures

The study investigated the impacts of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and theaflavin (TF1) on temperature tolerance of nematodes and explored targets on mitochondria. Survival rate, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP content of nematodes at different temperatures incubated with EGCG or TF1 were quantified. Thermogenesis and function of ex-vivo mitochondria were characterized. Targeted proteins of substances were explored via drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) and RT-qPCR. Results showed that EGCG and TF1 increased survival rates of nematodes under heat and cold stress, respectively. TF1 exhibited lower MMP of nematodes and more mitochondrial thermogenesis than EGCG for the cold-protection, and upregulated gpi-1, pgk-1, acox-1.2, acox-1.3 and acaa-2 to compensate the energy loss due to the uncoupling and downregulation of sdha-1 and atp-1. EGCG upregulated ctl-1, hsp-60 and enol-1 expression for the thermo-protection, as well as pgk-1, acox-1.3 and acaa-2 to compensate energy loss due to the downregulation of sdha-1.

Zhuyeqing liquor promotes longevity through enhancing stress resistance via regulation of SKN-1 and HSF-1 transcription factors in Caenorhabditis elegans

Zhuyeqing liquor (ZYQL) is well-known traditional functional liquor in China that contains twelve crude drugs. Studies have shown that ZYQL has many beneficial effects, but its anti-aging effect has not been reported. Here, we found that ZYQL had excellent antioxidant activity in vitro. In C. elegans, ZYQL could significantly extend the lifespan, and decreased aging related phenotype including accumulation of lipofuscin and the decrease of food intake and motility. Further, ZYQL significantly reduced ROS level and enhanced the antioxidant defense in C. elegans. ZYQL increased transcriptional activity of transcription factors HSF-1 and SKN-1, and ZYQL-mediated longevity was dependent on these factors. Taken together, the data suggested that ZYQL enhanced the transcriptional activity of transcription factors HSF-1 and SKN-1, which in turn increased oxidative/heat stress resistance to exert its anti-aging effect in C. elegans. Our results provide new insights into the beneficial effects and underlying mechanisms of ZYQL, which might be useful for further developing ZYQL into health or anti-aging beverages.

Neurotoxicity of bisphenol A exposure on Caenorhabditis elegans induced by disturbance of neurotransmitter and oxidative damage

Bisphenol A (BPA) is putatively regarded as an environmental neurotoxicant found in everyday plastic products and materials, however, the possible neurobehavioral adverse consequences and molecular mechanisms in animals have not been clearly characterized. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has become a promising animal model for neurotoxicological researches. To investigate the dose-effect relationships of BPA-induced neurotoxicity effects, the locomotion behavior and developmental parameters of the nematode were determined after BPA exposure. The present data demonstrated that BPA caused neurobehavioral toxicities, including head thrashes and body bends inhibition. In addition, when C. elegans was exposed to BPA at a concentration higher than 2 μM, growth and survival rate were decreased. The serotonergic, dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons were damaged by BPA. Furthermore, lower levels of mRNA expression related to dopamine, serotonin and GABA were detected in the worms exposed to 50 μM BPA. Increased SOD-3 expression might be adaptive response to BPA exposure. Moreover, oxidative damage triggered by BPA was manifested by changes in GST-4 expression, accompany with abnormity of ATP synthesis, but not nuclear localization of DAF-16/FOXO. Finally, we showed that epigallocatechin-3-gallate partially rescued BPA-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and neurobehavioral toxicity. Altogether, the neurobehavioral and developmental toxicity of BPA may be induced by neurotransmission abnormity and oxidative damage. The present data imply that oxidative stress is linked to neuronal damage and neurobehavioral harm resulting from developmental BPA exposure.

The multifaceted roles of natural products in mitochondrial dysfunction

Mitochondria are the primary source of energy production in cells, supporting the metabolic demand of tissue. The dysfunctional mitochondria are implicated in various diseases ranging from neurodegeneration to cancer. Therefore, regulating dysfunctional mitochondria offers a new therapeutic opportunity for diseases with mitochondrial dysfunction. Natural products are pleiotropic and readily obtainable sources of therapeutic agents, which have broad prospects in new drug discovery. Recently, many mitochondria-targeting natural products have been extensively studied and have shown promising pharmacological activity in regulating mitochondrial dysfunction. Hence, we summarize recent advances in natural products in targeting mitochondria and regulating mitochondrial dysfunction in this review. We discuss natural products in terms of their mechanisms on mitochondrial dysfunction, including modulating mitochondrial quality control system and regulating mitochondrial functions. In addition, we describe the future perspective and challenges in the development of mitochondria-targeting natural products, emphasizing the potential value of natural products in mitochondrial dysfunction.

Anti-aging effects of dietary phytochemicals: From Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, rodents to clinical studies

Anti-aging research has become critical since the elderly population is increasing dramatically in this era. With the establishment of frailty phenotype and frailty index, the importance of anti-frailty research is concurrently enlightened. The application of natural phytochemicals against aging or frailty is always intriguing, and abundant related studies have been published. Various models are designed for biological research, and each model has its strength and weakness in deciphering the complex aging mechanisms. In this article, we attempt to show the potential of Caenorhabditis elegans in the study of phytochemicals' effects on anti-aging by comparing it to other animal models. In this review, the lifespan extension and anti-aging effects are demonstrated by various physical, cellular, or molecular biomarkers of dietary phytochemicals, including resveratrol, curcumin, urolithin A, sesamin, fisetin, quercetin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, epicatechin, spermidine, sulforaphane, along with extracts of broccoli, cocoa, and blueberry. Meanwhile, the frequency of phytochemicals and models studied or presented in publications since 2010 were analyzed, and the most commonly mentioned animal models were rats, mice, and the nematode C. elegans. This up-to-date summary of the anti-aging effect of certain phytochemicals has demonstrated powerful potential for anti-aging or anti-frailty in the human population.

Eucommia ulmoides male flower as a remarkable edible floral resource exerts lifespan/healthspan-promoting effects on Caenorhabditis elegans

Natural products, especially phytochemicals, can effectively improve the health of various model organisms and ultimately prolong their lifespan. As an emerging resource of plant-based food, edible flowers have potential anti-aging effects. Here, we showed that twelve out of 30 drug-food homologous flowers' extracts significantly extended the lifespan of C. elegans, and the Eucommia ulmoides male flower was screened out by comparing centrally. The lifespan of C. elegans increased by 18.61% under the treatment of 100 μg mL^-1 floral extract (EUFE). Interestingly, this effect was attenuated when EUFE was administered late or at higher concentrations. Significantly, EUFE improved health indicators that decline with aging including pharyngeal pumping, mobility, muscle morphology, and lipofuscin accumulation. EUFE also enhanced the resistance of C. elegans to oxidative/heat stress. The longevity-extending effect of EUFE was dependent on transcription factor DAF-16 and mitochondrial function. Moreover, EUFE triggered the nuclear translocation of DAF-16 and promoted downstream LGG-1 and SOD3 protein expression. In body-wall muscles, EUFE stimulated mitochondrial fission and mitophagy to mitigate age-related mitochondrial impairments. The transcriptional checkpoints of daf-16, drp-1, eat-3, lgg-1, and dct-1 further showed that EUFE regulated DAF-16 signaling and mitochondrial homeostasis. Finally, the interpretation of the EUFE components by correlation analysis, UHPLC-QE-MS, and verification experiments showed that aucubin, geniposide, and asperuloside are the main active compounds. We revealed the excellent lifespan/healthspan-promoting efficacy of EUFE and highlighted that edible flowers are worthy of further investigation as anti-aging dietary resources. Meanwhile, related mechanisms enriched the hypothesis that mitochondria might be involved in the healthspan modulation of longevity pathways.

Ageing, Metabolic Dysfunction, and the Therapeutic Role of Antioxidants

The gradual ageing of the world population has been accompanied by a dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity and metabolic diseases, especially type 2 diabetes. The adipose tissue dysfunction associated with ageing and obesity shares many common physiological features, including increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity may help elucidate the processes that contribute to the metabolic disturbances that occur with ageing. This, in turn, may help identify therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity and age-related metabolic disorders. Because oxidative stress plays a critical role in these pathological processes, antioxidant dietary interventions could be of therapeutic value for the prevention and/or treatment of age-related diseases and obesity and their complications. In this chapter, we review the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which obesity predisposes individuals to accelerated ageing. Additionally, we critically review the potential of antioxidant dietary interventions to counteract obesity and ageing.

Mitochondrial Aging and Senolytic Natural Products with Protective Potential

Living organisms do not disregard the laws of thermodynamics and must therefore consume energy for their survival. In this way, cellular energy exchanges, which aim above all at the production of ATP, a fundamental molecule used by the cell for its metabolisms, favor the formation of waste products that, if not properly disposed of, can contribute to cellular aging and damage. Numerous genes have been linked to aging, with some favoring it (gerontogenes) and others blocking it (longevity pathways). Animal model studies have shown that calorie restriction (CR) may promote longevity pathways, but given the difficult application of CR in humans, research is investigating the use of CR-mimetic substances capable of producing the same effect. These include some phytonutrients such as oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, epigallo-catechin-gallate, fisetin, quercetin, and curcumin and minerals such as magnesium and selenium. Some of them also have senolytic effects, which promote the apoptosis of defective cells that accumulate over the years (senescent cells) and disrupt normal metabolism. In this article, we review the properties of these natural elements that can promote a longer and healthier life.

The Antiaging Activities of Phytochemicals in Dark-Colored Plant Foods: Involvement of the Autophagy- and Apoptosis-Associated Pathways

In the last two decades, human life expectancy has increased by about 10 years, but this has not been accompanied by a corresponding increase in healthy lifespan. Aging is associated with a wide range of human disorders, including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Delaying the aging of organs or tissues and improving the physiological functions of the elderly can reduce the risk of aging-related diseases. Autophagy and apoptosis are crucial mechanisms for cell survival and tissue homeostasis, and may also be primary aging-regulatory pathways. Recent epidemiological studies have shown that eating more colorful plant foods could increase life expectancy. Several representative phytochemicals in dark-colored plant foods such as quercetin, catechin, curcumin, anthocyanins, and lycopene have apparent antiaging potential. Nevertheless, the antiaging signaling pathways of the phytochemicals from dark-colored plant foods remain elusive. In the present review, we summarized autophagy- and apoptosis-associated targeting pathways of those phytochemicals and discussed the core targets involved in the antiaging effects. Further clinical evaluation and exploitation of phytochemicals as antiaging agents are needed to develop novel antiaging therapeutics for preventing age-related diseases and improving a healthy lifespan.

Two new catechins from Zijuan green tea enhance the fitness and lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via insulin-like signaling pathways

Green tea polyphenols show positive effects on human health and longevity. However, knowledge of the antiaging properties of green tea is limited to the major catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The search for new ingredients in tea with strong antiaging activity deserves further study. Here we isolated and identified two new catechins from Zijuan green tea, named zijuanin E (1) and zijuanin F (2). Their structures were identified by extensive high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HR-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ultraviolet-vis (UV), infrared (IR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic analyses, and their ¹³C NMR and CD data were calculated. We used the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to analyze the health benefits and longevity effects of 1 and 2. Compounds 1 and 2 (100 μM) remarkably prolonged the lifespan of C. elegans by 67.2% and 56.0%, respectively, delaying the age-related decline of phenotypes, enhancing stress resistance, and reducing ROS and lipid accumulation. Furthermore, 1 and 2 did not affect the lifespan of daf-16, daf-2, sir-2.1, and skn-1 mutant worms, suggesting that they might work via the insulin/IGF and SKN-1/Nrf2 signaling pathways. Meanwhile, 1 and 2 also exhibited strong antioxidant activity in vitro. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) evidence suggests that zijuanins E and F have strong human serum albumin (HSA) binding ability. Together, zijuanins E and F represent a new valuable class of tea components that promote healthspan and could be developed as potential dietary therapies against aging.

Tea Polyphenols as Prospective Natural Attenuators of Brain Aging

No organism can avoid the process of aging, which is often accompanied by chronic disease. The process of biological aging is driven by a series of interrelated mechanisms through different signal pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammatory states, autophagy and others. In addition, the intestinal microbiota play a key role in regulating oxidative stress of microglia, maintaining homeostasis of microglia and alleviating age-related diseases. Tea polyphenols can effectively regulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota. In recent years, the potential anti-aging benefits of tea polyphenols have attracted increasing attention because they can inhibit neuroinflammation and prevent degenerative effects in the brain. The interaction between human neurological function and the gut microbiota suggests that intervention with tea polyphenols is a possible way to alleviate brain-aging. Studies have been undertaken into the possible mechanisms underpinning the preventative effect of tea polyphenols on brain-aging mediated by the intestinal microbiota. Tea polyphenols may be regarded as potential neuroprotective substances which can act with high efficiency and low toxicity.

Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical activation of FOXO3 for healthy longevity

Life expectancy has increased substantially over the last 150 years. Yet this means that now most people also spend a greater length of time suffering from various age-associated diseases. As such, delaying age-related functional decline and extending healthspan, the period of active older years free from disease and disability, is an overarching objective of current aging research. Geroprotectors, compounds that target pathways that causally influence aging, are increasingly recognized as a means to extend healthspan in the aging population. Meanwhile, FOXO3 has emerged as a geroprotective gene intricately involved in aging and healthspan. FOXO3 genetic variants are linked to human longevity, reduced disease risks, and even self-reported health. Therefore, identification of FOXO3-activating compounds represents one of the most direct candidate approaches to extending healthspan in aging humans. In this work, we review compounds that activate FOXO3, or influence healthspan or lifespan in a FOXO3-dependent manner. These compounds can be classified as pharmaceuticals, including PI3K/AKT inhibitors and AMPK activators, antidepressants and antipsychotics, muscle relaxants, and HDAC inhibitors, or as nutraceuticals, including primary metabolites involved in cell growth and sustenance, and secondary metabolites including extracts, polyphenols, terpenoids, and other purified natural compounds. The compounds documented here provide a basis and resource for further research and development, with the ultimate goal of promoting healthy longevity in humans.

Orientin Prolongs the Longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans and Postpones the Development of Neurodegenerative Diseases via Nutrition Sensing and Cellular Protective Pathways

Age is the major risk factor for most of the deadliest diseases. Developing small molecule drugs with antiaging effects could improve the health of aged people and retard the onset and progress of aging-associated disorders. Bioactive secondary metabolites from medicinal plants are the main source for development of medication. Orientin is a water-soluble flavonoid monomer compound widely found in many medicinal plants. Orientin inhibits fat production, antioxidation, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we explored whether orientin could affect the aging of C. elegans. We found that orientin improved heat, oxidative, and pathogenic stress resistances through activating stress responses, including HSF-1-mediated heat shock response, SKN-1-mediated xenobiotic and oxidation response, mitochondria unfolded responses, endoplasmic unfolded protein response, and increased autophagy activity. Orientin also could activate key regulators of the nutrient sensing pathway, including AMPK and insulin downstream transcription factor FOXO/DAF-16 to further improve the cellular health status. The above effects of orientin reduced the accumulation of toxic proteins (α-synuclein, β-amyloid, and poly-Q) and delayed the onset of neurodegenerative disorders in AD, PD, and HD models of C. elegans and finally increased the longevity and health span of C. elegans. Our results suggest that orientin has promising antiaging effects and could be a potential natural source for developing novel therapeutic drugs for aging and its related diseases.

Small berries as health-promoting ingredients: a review on anti-aging effects and mechanisms in Caenorhabditis elegans

Aging is an inevitable, irreversible, and complex process of damage accumulation and functional decline, increasing the risk of various chronic diseases. However, for now no drug can delay aging process nor cure aging-related diseases. Nutritional intervention is considered as a key and effective strategy to promote healthy aging and improve life quality. Small berries, as one of the most common and popular fruits, have been demonstrated to improve cognitive function and possess neuroprotective activities. However, the anti-aging effects of small berries have not been systematically elucidated yet. This review mainly focuses on small berries' anti-aging activity studies involving small berry types, active components, the utilized model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), related signaling pathways, and molecular mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to propose effective strategies to evaluate the anti-aging effects of small berries and provide guidance for the development of anti-aging supplements from small berries.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate pretreatment alleviates doxorubicin-induced ferroptosis and cardiotoxicity by upregulating AMPKα2 and activating adaptive autophagy

Reports indicate that the mechanism of doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity is very complex, involving multiple regulatory cell death forms. Furthermore, the clinical intervention effect is not ideal. Iron dependence, abnormal lipid metabolism, and excess reactive oxygen species generation, three characteristics of ferroptosis, are potential therapeutic intervention targets. Here, we confirmed in vitro and in vivo that at least autophagy, apoptosis, and ferroptosis are involved in Dox cardiotoxicity-induced damage. When the neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and H9C2 cells or C57BL/6 mice were subjected to Dox-induced cardiotoxicity, epigallocatechin-3-gallate pretreatment could effectively decrease iron accumulation, inhibit oxidative stress and abnormal lipid metabolism, and thereby alleviate Dox cardiotoxicity-induced ferroptosis and protect the myocardium according to multiple functional, enzymatic, and morphological indices. The underlying mechanism was verified to involve the upregulation and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase α2, which promoted adaptive autophagy, increased energy supply, and maintained mitochondrial function. We believe that epigallocatechin-3-gallate is a candidate phytochemical against Dox-induced cardiotoxicity.

p21-Activated kinase 1 (PAK1) in aging and longevity: An overview

The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) belong to serine/threonine kinases family, regulated by ∼21 kDa small signaling G proteins RAC1 and CDC42. The mammalian PAK family comprises six members (PAK1-6) that are classified into two groups (I and II) based on their domain architecture and regulatory mechanisms. PAKs are implicated in a wide range of cellular functions. PAK1 has recently attracted increasing attention owing to its involvement in oncogenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis as well as several life-limiting diseases and pathological conditions. In Caenorhabditis elegans, PAK1 functions limit the lifespan under basal conditions by inhibiting forkhead transcription factor DAF-16. Interestingly, PAK depletion extended longevity and attenuated the onset of age-related phenotypes in a premature-aging mouse model and delayed senescence in mammalian fibroblasts. These observations implicate PAKs as not only oncogenic but also aging kinases. Therefore, PAK-targeting genetic and/or pharmacological interventions, particularly PAK1-targeting, could be a viable strategy for developing cancer therapies with relatively no side effects and promoting healthy longevity. This review describes PAK family proteins, their biological functions, and their role in regulating aging and longevity using C. elegans. Moreover, we discuss the effect of small-molecule PAK1 inhibitors on the lifespan and healthspan of C. elegans.

Epigallocatechin gallate and theaflavins independently alleviate cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian damage by inhibiting the overactivation of primordial follicles and follicular atresia

BACKGROUND

Cyclophosphamide (CTX), which has been used to treat common female cancers for several years, often causes ovarian damage, early menopause and infertility. However, strategies for the effective prevention and treatment of CTX-induced ovarian damage are still lacking. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and theaflavins (TFs), key molecules derived from green tea or black tea, have been shown to exert preventive effects on many ageing-related diseases.

PURPOSE

We aimed to explore the potential preventive and protective effects of EGCG and TFs on CTX-induced ovarian damage and compare the two compounds.

STUDY DESIGN

Six-week-old female mice were administered a low or high dose of EGCG or TFs. The low dose was equivalent to the average daily amount of tea consumed by a drinker.

METHODS

We determined the oestrous cycle and serum hormone levels to evaluate ovarian endocrine function, and we performed mating tests for reproductivity. We also assessed the follicle count and AMH level to evaluate ovarian reserve, and we performed Masson's trichrome and Sirius red staining to evaluate ovarian fibrosis. We conducted γ-H2AX and TUNEL analyses to evaluate DNA damage, and we also measured the relevant indicators of oxidative stress and follicular activation, including NRF2, HO-1, SOD2, AKT, mTOR and RPS6.

RESULTS

EGCG and TFs treatment independently improved the ovarian endocrine function and reproductivity of mice that were administered CTX. EGCG and TFs also increased the ovarian reserve of these animals. Furthermore, EGCG and TFs alleviated oxidation-induced damage to ovarian DNA in mice by activating the NRF2/HO-1 and SOD2 pathways and reducing the apoptosis of growing follicles. At the same time, EGCG and TFs reduced the overactivation of primordial follicles by inhibiting the AKT/mTOR/RPS6 pathway.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that EGCG and TFs independently improved ovarian function in mice with CTX-induced ovarian damage, thereby providing useful information for designing a potential clinical strategy that will protect against chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage.

Prospective Selective Mechanism of Emerging Senolytic Agents Derived from Flavonoids

Senescent cells (SCs) are associated with the onset and development of multiple chronic diseases. Selective clearance of SCs by senolytic drugs is a potential therapeutic option for a number of age-related diseases. Among senolytic candidates, only dasatinib with quercetin and fisetin meet the rigorous criteria for senolytic drugs, according to a modified version of Koch's postulates. It is astonishing that two of the three agents, i.e., quercetin and fisetin, are flavonoids, although the mechanism by which they preferentially eliminate SCs is unclear. Herein, we propose a possible selective mechanism; prooxidant activities of quercetin or fisetin are inevitably involved in killing apoptosis-resistant SCs. Among the dietary flavonoids, quercetin is a potent redox-active flavonoid with strong prooxidant activities, and transition metals, such as copper and iron, hugely amplify its prooxidant activities. Fisetin, which has higher senolytic activities than quercetin, has higher prooxidant effects than quercetin in the absence or presence of copper. It appears that the prooxidant activity of flavonoids is an important consideration for screening senolytics. SCs accumulate high levels of copper and iron, and the selective mechanism of quercetin or fisetin is probably associated with copper/iron-promoted oxidative damage in SCs. Copper and iron dramatically enhanced the prooxidant effects of the flavonoid, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, having shown a depletion effect on SCs in rats and high therapeutic efficacy in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, largely caused by SCs. Further investigation to evaluate whether epigallocatechin-3-gallate is a senolytic drug, according to Koch's postulates, is warranted.

Green tea catechins EGCG and ECG enhance the fitness and lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans by complex I inhibition

Green tea catechins are associated with a delay in aging. We have designed the current study to investigate the impact and to unveil the target of the most abundant green tea catechins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin gallate (ECG).

Experiments were performed in Caenorhabditis elegans to analyze cellular metabolism, ROS homeostasis, stress resistance, physical exercise capacity, health- and lifespan, and the underlying signaling pathways. Besides, we examined the impact of EGCG and ECG in isolated murine mitochondria.

A concentration of 2.5 μM EGCG and ECG enhanced health- and lifespan as well as stress resistance in C. elegans. Catechins hampered mitochondrial respiration in C. elegans after 6–12 h and the activity of complex I in isolated rodent mitochondria. The impaired mitochondrial respiration was accompanied by a transient drop in ATP production and a temporary increase in ROS levels in C. elegans. After 24 h, mitochondrial respiration and ATP levels got restored, and ROS levels even dropped below control conditions. The lifespan increases induced by EGCG and ECG were dependent on AAK-2/AMPK and SIR-2.1/SIRT1, as well as on PMK-1/p38 MAPK, SKN-1/NRF2, and DAF-16/FOXO. Long-term effects included significantly diminished fat content and enhanced SOD and CAT activities, required for the positive impact of catechins on lifespan.

In summary, complex I inhibition by EGCG and ECG induced a transient drop in cellular ATP levels and a temporary ROS burst, resulting in SKN-1 and DAF-16 activation. Through adaptative responses, catechins reduced fat content, enhanced ROS defense, and improved healthspan in the long term.

Flavonoids modulate AMPK/PGC-1α and interconnected pathways toward potential neuroprotective activities

As progressive, chronic, incurable and common reasons for disability and death, neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are significant threats to human health. Besides, the increasing prevalence of neuronal gradual degeneration and death during NDDs has made them a global concern. Since yet, no effective treatment has been developed to combat multiple dysregulated pathways/mediators and related complications in NDDs. Therefore, there is an urgent need to create influential and multi-target factors to combat neuronal damages. Accordingly, the plant kingdom has drawn a bright future. Among natural entities, flavonoids are considered a rich source of drug discovery and development with potential biological and medicinal activities. Growing studies have reported multiple dysregulated pathways in NDDs, which among those mediator AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) play critical roles. In this line, critical role of flavonoids in the upregulation of AMPK/PGC-1α pathway seems to pave the road in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), aging, central nervous system (brain/spinal cord) damages, stroke, and other NDDs. In the present study, the regulatory role of flavonoids in managing various NDDs has been shown to pass through AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

DAF-16 acts as the "hub" of astaxanthin's anti-aging mechanism to improve aging-related physiological functions in Caenorhabditis elegans

Astaxanthin (AX) is a xanthophyll carotenoid that can effectively inhibit the production of peroxides and thereby protect the body from oxidative damage. In recent years, AX had been shown to have anti-aging properties, both in vivo and in vitro. However, the underlying mechanisms by which AX regulates senescence related proteins and signaling pathways remain unclear. Therefore, we used Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model binding proteomics to reveal AX anti-aging activity and its molecular mechanism. Our results suggest that AX promotes the health and lifespan of C. elegans by improving mobility, reducing the accumulation of age pigments, and increasing resistance to heat stress. In terms of the underlying mechanism, AX helps prolong the life of worms by regulating AGE-1 in the insulin signaling pathway, promoting the transport of DAF-16 into the nucleus and then up-regulating the expression level of DAF-16's downstream proteins (such as superoxide dismutase [Mn] 2 (SOD-3), heat shock proteins (HSPs), glutathione s-transferase (GST-4), etc.). Furthermore, AX may be a relevant response target for activation of dietary restriction pathways in vivo as a dietary restriction mimic. Meanwhile, proteomics data confirmed that there were 15 proteins enriched in the longevity regulation pathway. AX mainly regulates oxidative stress and the aging process by modulating the insulin signaling pathway around DAF-16 as the "hub". In addition to the insulin signaling pathway, other pathways including dietary restriction, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and mammal target of rapamycin (mTOR) are also dependent on DAF-16. These findings expand and deepen our knowledge of the underlying mechanism by which AX extends the lifespan of C. elegans.

Flavonoids from the mung bean coat promote longevity and fitness in Caenorhabditis elegans

Mung beans possess health benefits related to their bioactive ingredients, mainly flavonoids, which are highly concentrated in the coat. However, the anti-aging effects of mung beans are rarely reported. In this work, we found that mung bean coat extract (MBCE), rich in vitexin and isovitexin, extended the lifespan and promoted the health of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) without any disadvantages. Moreover, MBCE enhanced the resistance to heat and oxidation of C. elegans by reducing the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and up-regulating the expression of stress-resistant genes or proteins. Further studies demonstrated that MBCE improved longevity, stress-resistance and fitness by mediating the mitochondrial function, mimicking calorie restriction, and altering histone modification. These findings provide direct evidence for the anti-aging effects of mung beans and new insights into the innovations and applications of mung beans for the healthcare industry.

The Review of Anti-aging Mechanism of Polyphenols on Caenorhabditis elegans

Micronutrients extracted from natural plants or made by biological synthesis are widely used in anti-aging research and applications. Among more than 30 effective anti-aging substances, employing polyphenol organic compounds for modification or delaying of the aging process attracts great interest because of their distinct contribution in the prevention of degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. There is a profound potential for polyphenol extracts in the research of aging and the related diseases of the elderly. Previous studies have mainly focused on the properties of polyphenols implicated in free radical scavenging; however, the anti-oxidant effect cannot fully elaborate its biological functions, such as neuroprotection, Aβ protein production, ion channel coupling, and signal transduction pathways. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been considered as an ideal model organism for exploring the mechanism of anti-aging research and is broadly utilized in screening for natural bioactive substances. In this review, we have described the molecular mechanisms and pathways responsible for the slowdown of aging processes exerted by polyphenols. We also have discussed the possible mechanisms for their anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties in C. elegans from the perspective of different classifications of the specific polyphenols, such as flavonols, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, and stilbenes.

Physiological Dose of EGCG Attenuates the Health Defects of High Dose by Regulating MEMO-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans

EGCG, as a dietary-derived antioxidant, has been extensively studied for its beneficial health effects. Nevertheless, it induces the transient increase in ROS and leads to the hormetic extension of lifespan. How exactly biology-benefiting effects with the minimum severe adverse are realized remains unclear. Here, we showed that physiological dose of EGCG could help moderate remission in health side effects exposed to high doses, including shortened lifespan, reduced body size, decreased pharyngeal pumping rate, and dysfunctional body movement in C. elegans. Furthermore, we found this result was caused by the physiological dose of EGCG to block the continued ROS accumulation and triggered acclimation responses after stressor removal. Also, in this process, we observed that EGCG downregulated the key redox protein MEMO-1 to activate the feedback loop of NADPH oxidase-mediated redox signaling. Our data indicates that the feedback signal induced by NADPH oxidase may contribute to the health-protective mechanism of dietary polyphenols in vivo.

Theanine Improves High-Dose Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate-Induced Lifespan Reduction in Caenorhabditis elegans

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant polyphenol in green tea. Our previous report showed that induced hormesis was a critical determinant for the promotion of a healthy lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans. In the present study, we investigated the anti-aging effects of the main active ingredients in green tea. We found that galloylated catechins (EGCG and epicatechin gallate) could extend the lifespan of C. elegans, while their metabolites (gallic acid, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin) could not. Interestingly, the combination with theanine, not caffeine, could alleviate the adverse effects induced by high-dose EGCG, including the promotion of lifespan and locomotor ability. This was due to the attenuation of the excess production of reactive oxygen species and the activation of DAF-16. These findings will facilitate further studies on the health benefits of tea active components and their interactions.

Dietary bioactive compounds as modulators of mitochondrial function

The increase in incidence and prevalence of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, is a health problem worldwide. Nutritional strategies that can impact on mitochondrial activity represent a novel and effective option to modulate energy expenditure and energetic metabolism in cells and tissues and could be used as adjuvant treatments for metabolic-associated disorders. Dietary bioactive compounds also known as "food bioactives" have proven to exert multiple health benefits and counteract metabolic alterations. In the last years, it has been consistently reported that the modulation of mitochondrial function represents one of the mechanisms behind the bioactive compounds-dependent health improvements. In this review, we focus on gathering, summarizing, and discussing the evidence that supports the effect of dietary bioactive compounds on mitochondrial activity and the relation of these effects in the pathological context. Despite the evidence presented here on in vivo and in vitro effects, more studies are needed to determine their effectiveness in humans.

Catechinic acid, a natural polyphenol compound, extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via mitophagy pathways

Catechinic acid (CA), widely present in tea and fruits, has vital biological and pharmacological properties. CA plays an important role in the regulation of lifespan. However, the mechanism behind its anti-aging properties remains poorly characterized. In the present study, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was used as a model organism. It was found that CA induced mitophagy which prevented the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria with age and profoundly extended lifespan. Notably, CA significantly improved the fitness of aging worms, particularly the treatment slowed age-related decline in observed spontaneous movements. Furthermore, CA was found to eliminate dysfunctional mitochondria in the gut and muscle cells, and demonstrated that the lifespan-prolonging effects of CA can be attributed to mitophagy along with the likely regulation of the genes bec-1 and pink-1. The results of this study indicated that pharmacologically induced mitophagy has a profound impact on aging, providing a novel therapeutic intervention against aging and age-related diseases.

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Inhibition of Apoptosis and Promotion of Autophagy through the ROS/MAPK Signaling Pathway

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents one of the most common chronic liver diseases in the world. It has been reported that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) plays important biological and pharmacological roles in mammalian cells. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of EGCG on the progression of NAFLD has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, the mechanisms of action of EGCG on the growth, apoptosis, and autophagy were examined using oleic acid- (OA-) treated liver cells and the high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced NAFLD mouse model. Administration of EGCG promoted the growth of OA-treated liver cells. EGCG could reduce mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis and increase autophagy possibly via the reactive oxygen species- (ROS-) mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in OA-treated liver cells. In line with in vitro findings, our in vivo study verified that treatment with EGCG attenuated HFD-induced NAFLD through reduction of apoptosis and promotion of autophagy. EGCG can alleviate HFD-induced NAFLD possibly by decreasing apoptosis and increasing autophagy via the ROS/MAPK pathway. EGCG may be a promising agent for the treatment of NAFLD.

Chemical Profiles, Anticancer, and Anti-Aging Activities of Essential Oils of Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. and Erigeron bonariensis L

Plants belonging to the Asteraceae family are widely used as traditional medicinal herbs around the world for the treatment of numerous diseases. In this work, the chemical profiles of essential oils (EOs) of the above-ground parts of Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. and Erigeron bonariensis (L.) were studied in addition to their cytotoxic and anti-aging activities. The extracted EOs from the two plants via hydrodistillation were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). GC-MS of EO of P. dioscoridis revealed the identification of 29 compounds representing 96.91% of the total oil. While 35 compounds were characterized from EO of E. bonariensis representing 98.21%. The terpenoids were found the main constituents of both plants with a relative concentration of 93.59% and 97.66%, respectively, including mainly sesquiterpenes (93.40% and 81.06%). α-Maaliene (18.84%), berkheyaradulen (13.99%), dehydro-cyclolongifolene oxide (10.35%), aromadendrene oxide-2 (8.81%), β-muurolene (8.09%), and α-eudesmol (6.79%), represented the preponderance compounds of EO of P. dioscoridis. While, trans-α-farnesene (25.03%), O-ocimene (12.58%), isolongifolene-5-ol (5.53%), α-maaliene (6.64%), berkheyaradulen (4.82%), and α-muurolene (3.99%), represented the major compounds EO of E. bonariensis. A comparative study of our results with the previously described data was constructed based upon principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC), where the results revealed a substantial variation of the present studied species than other reported ecospecies. EO of P. dioscoridis exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the two cancer cells, MCF-7 and A-549 with IC₅₀ of 37.3 and 22.3 μM, respectively. While the EO of the E. bonariensis showed strong cytotoxicity against HepG2 with IC₅₀ of 25.6 μM. The EOs of P. dioscoridis, E. bonariensis, and their mixture (1:1) exhibited significant inhibitory activity of the collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase comparing with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as a reference. The results of anti-aging showed that the activity of mixture (1:1) > P. dioscoridis > E. bonariensis against the four enzymes.

Theaflavin-regulated Imd condensates control Drosophila intestinal homeostasis and aging

Black tea is the most widely consumed tea drink in the world and has consistently been reported to possess anti-aging benefits. However, whether theaflavins, one type of the characteristic phytochemicals in black tea extracts, are involved in regulating aging and lifespan in consumers remains largely unknown. In this study, we show that theaflavins play a beneficial role in preventing age-onset intestinal leakage and dysbiosis, thus delaying aging in Drosophila. Mechanistically, theaflavins regulate the condensate assembly of Imd to negatively govern the overactivation of Imd signals in fruit fly intestines. In addition, theaflavins prevent DSS-induced colitis in mice, suggesting theaflavins play a role in modulating intestinal integrity. Overall, our study reveals a molecular mechanism by which theaflavins regulate gut homeostasis likely through controlling Imd coalescence.