Ursolic acid enhances stress resistance, reduces ROS accumulation and prolongs life span in C. elegans serotonin-deficient mutants

Jujubae Fructus extract prolongs lifespan and improves stress tolerance in Caenorhabditis elegans dependent on DAF-16/SOD-3

Jujubae Fructus, the fruit of Ziziphus jujuba Mill has been used as one of the medicine food homology species for thousands of years in China. Studies have shown that the active ingredients of Jujubae Fructus have a variety of biological effects, but its role in the aging process still lacks knowledge. Here, we investigated the effect of Jujubae Fructus extract (JE) on Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan and its potential mechanism. The lifespan of C. elegans treated with JE was signifificantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, JE treatment prolonged the reproductive period and increased normal activity during aging in C. elegans. Similarly, JE supplementation also enhanced the resistance to heat and oxidative stress in C. elegans. Furthermore, the mutant worms' lifespan assays demonstrated that JE requires daf-16 to prolong lifespan. DAF-16::GFP analysis of TJ356 showed that JE treatment translocates DAF-16::GFP to nucleus in transgenic worms. By analyzing the downstream of daf-16, we identify that JE may regulate sod3 downstream of daf-16. Mutant worms' lifespan and transgenic reporter gene expression assays revealed that increasing SOD-3 expression was critical for extending longevity in C. elegans with JE therapy. Collectively, these data indicate that JE may have an important role in C. elegans longevity that is dependent on DAF-16 and SOD-3.

Cornus officinalis Extract Enriched with Ursolic Acid Ameliorates UVB-Induced Photoaging in Caenorhabditis elegans

Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure can contribute to photoaging of skin. Cornus officinalis is rich in ursolic acid (UA), which is beneficial to the prevention of photoaging. Because UA is hardly soluble in water, the Cornus officinalis extract (COE) was obtained using water as the antisolvent to separate the components containing UA from the crude extract of Cornus officinalis. The effect of COE on UVB damage was assessed using Caenorhabditis elegans. The results showed that COE could increase the lifespan and enhance the antioxidant enzyme activity of C. elegans exposed to UVB while decreasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. At the same time, COE upregulated the expression of antioxidant-related genes and promoted the migration of SKN-1 to the nucleus. Moreover, COE inhibited the expression of the skn-1 downstream gene and the extension of the lifespan in skn-1 mutants exposed to UVB, indicating that SKN-1 was required for COE to function. Our findings indicate that COE mainly ameliorates the oxidative stress caused by UVB in C. elegans via the SKN-1/Nrf2 pathway.

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.

Unlocking the potential of chicken liver byproducts: Identification of antioxidant peptides through in silico approaches and anti-aging effects of a selected peptide in Caenorhabditis elegans

Chicken meat processing generates a substantial number of byproducts, which are either underutilized or improperly disposed. In this study, we employed in silico approaches to identify antioxidant peptides in chicken liver byproducts. Notably, the peptide WYR exhibited remarkable 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity with an IC50 of 0.13 ± 0.01 mg/mL and demonstrated stability under various conditions, including thermal, pH, NaCl, and simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Molecular docking analysis revealed significant hydrogen bonding interactions, while molecular dynamics showed differential stability with ABTS and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). WYR exhibited improved stress resistance, decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), elevated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and modulated the expression of crucial genes through the insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IIS) signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and heat shock transcription factor-1 (HSF-1) pathways. These effects collectively contributed to the extension of Caenorhabditis elegans' lifespan. This study not only provides an effective method for antioxidant peptide analysis but also highlights the potential for enhancing the utilization of poultry byproducts.

Microscale thermophoresis as a powerful growing analytical technique for the investigation of biomolecular interaction and the determination of binding parameters

The in vitro panel of technologies to address biomolecular interactions are in play, however microscale thermophoresis is continuously increasing in use to represent a key player in this arena. This review highlights the usefulness of microscale thermophoresis in the determination of molecular and biomolecular affinity interactions. This work reviews the literature from January 2016 to January 2022 about microscale thermophoresis. It gives a summarized overview about both the state-of the art and the development in the field of microscale thermophoresis. The principle of microscale thermophoresis is also described supported with self-created illustrations. Moreover, some recent advances are mentioned that showing application of the technique in investigating biomolecular interactions in different fields. Finally, advantages as well as drawbacks of the technique in comparison with other competing techniques are summarized.

Ursolic acid inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of human papillary thyroid carcinoma cells via CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis through cancer-associated fibroblasts

As a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound, Ursolic acid (UA) broads range of biological effects. CXCL12 is a ligand for CXCR4 and CXCR7 proteins on thyroid cancer cells. Here we examined the effects of UA on the proliferation, migration and invasion of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTCs) in a dose-manner. In addition, UA can reduce the expression levels of CXCR4 and CXCR7 in PTCs. In addition to this direct anticancer pathway, studies have shown that UA can play an anticancer role by affecting the secretion of CXCL12 in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). After treated with UA, normal fibroblasts and CAFs culture medium (CM) showed differential CXCL12 expression levels. We prepared fibroblast conditioned medium according to the intervention of UA, then cultured TPC-1 and B-CPAP cells with differential CM, and detected significant differences in the proliferation, migration and invasion of cancer cells. Our findings uncovered an indirect anticancer mechanism of UA. This cancer chemopreventive properties is expected to make UA a clinically useful chemopreventive agent.

(+)-Dehydrovomifoliol Alleviates Oleic Acid-Induced Lipid Accumulation in HepG2 Cells via the PPARα-FGF21 Pathway

An overload of hepatic fatty acids, such as oleic acid is a key trigger of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here, we investigated whether Artemisia frigida, a valuable traditional medicine used to treat various diseases, could mitigate OA-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Then, to identify the active substances in A. frigida, a phytochemistry investigation was conducted using a bioassay-guided isolation method. Consequently, one terpene (1) and one flavone (2) were identified. Compound 1 ((+)-dehydrovomifoliol) exhibited potent effects against lipid accumulation in OA-induced HepG2 cells, without causing cyto-toxicity. Notably, treatment with (+)-dehydrovomifoliol decreased the expression levels of three genes related to lipogenesis (SREBP1, ACC, and FASN) and increased those of three genes related to fatty acid oxidation (PPARα, ACOX1, and FGF21). In addition, similar results were observed for SREBP1, PPARα, and FGF21 protein levels. The effects of (+)-dehydrovomifoliol were partially reversed by treatment with the PPARα antagonist GW6471, indicating the important role of the PPARα-FGF21 axis in the effects of (+)-dehydrovomifoliol. Based on its effects on hepatic lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation signaling via the PPARα-FGF21 axis, (+)-dehydrovomifoliol isolated from A. frigida could be a useful early lead compound for developing new drugs for NAFLD prevention.

The triterpenoid ursolic acid ameliorates stress in Caenorhabditis elegans by affecting the depression-associated genes skn-1 and prdx2

INTRODUCTION

Depression is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Lower antioxidant concentrations and increased oxidative stress levels contribute to the development of depression. Effective and tolerable medications are urgently needed. Nrf2 and PRDX2 are promising targets in the treatment of oxidative stress and, therefore, promising for the development of novel antidepressants. Ursolic acid (UA), a natural triterpenoid found in various plants is known to exert neuroprotective and antioxidant effects. Skn-1 (which corresponds to human Nrf2) and prdx2 deficient mutants of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans are suitable models to study the effect of UA on these targets. Additionally, stress assays are used to mimic stress or depressed state.

METHODS

We examined the antioxidant activity of UA in Caenorhabditis elegans wildtype and skn-1- and prdx2-deficient strains by H2DCF-DA and juglone assays as well as osmotic and heat stress assays. Additionally, we analyzed the binding of UA to human PRDX2 and Skn-1 proteins by molecular docking and microscale thermophoresis.

RESULTS

UA exerted strong antioxidant activities. Additionally, induction of stress resistance towards osmotic and heat stress was observed. qRT-PCR revealed that UA upregulated the gene expression of skn-1 and prdx2. Molecular docking studies supported these findings.

CONCLUSION

Our findings implicate that the strong antioxidant activity of UA may exert anti-depressive effects by its interaction with the Skn-1 transcription factor, which is part of a detoxification network, and the antioxidant PRDX2 protein, which protects the organism from the detrimental effects of radical oxygen species.

Synergistic Neuroprotective Effects of a Natural Product Mixture against AD Hallmarks and Cognitive Decline in Caenorhabditis elegans and an SAMP8 Mice Model

The study of different natural products can provide a wealth of bioactive compounds, and more interestingly, their combination can exert a new strategy for several neurodegenerative diseases with major public health importance, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we investigated the synergistic neuroprotective effects of a mixed extract composed of docosahexaenoic acid, Ginkgo biloba, D-pinitol, and ursolic acid in several transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and a senescence-accelerated prone mice 8 (SAMP8) model. First, we found a significantly higher survival percentage in the C. elegans group treated with the natural product mixture compared to the single extract-treated groups. Likewise, we found a significantly increased lifespan in group of C. elegans treated with the natural product mixture compared to the other groups, suggesting synergistic effects. Remarkably, we determined a significant reduction in Aβ plaque accumulation in the group of C. elegans treated with the natural product mixture compared to the other groups, confirming synergy. Finally, we demonstrated better cognitive performance in the group treated with the natural product mixture in both AD models (neuronal Aβ C. elegans strain CL2355 and the SAMP8 mice model), confirming the molecular results and unraveling the synergist effects of this combination. Therefore, our results proved the potential of this new natural product mixture for AD therapeutic strategies.

Increased Stress Resistance and Lifespan in Chaenorhabditis elegans Wildtype and Knockout Mutants-Implications for Depression Treatment by Medicinal Herbs

Depression and anxiety disorders are widespread diseases, and they belong to the leading causes of disability and greatest burdens on healthcare systems worldwide. It is expected that the numbers will dramatically rise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Established medications are not sufficient to adequately treat depression and are not available for everyone. Plants from traditional medicine may be promising alternatives to treat depressive symptoms. The model organism Chaenorhabditis elegans was used to assess the stress reducing effects of methanol/dichlormethane extracts from plants used in traditional medicine. After initial screening for antioxidant activity, nine extracts were selected for in vivo testing in oxidative stress, heat stress, and osmotic stress assays. Additionally, anti-aging properties were evaluated in lifespan assay. The extracts from Acanthopanax senticosus, Campsis grandiflora, Centella asiatica, Corydalis yanhusuo, Dan Zhi, Houttuynia cordata, Psoralea corylifolia, Valeriana officinalis, and Withaniasomnifera showed antioxidant activity of more than 15 Trolox equivalents per mg extract. The extracts significantly lowered ROS in mutants, increased resistance to heat stress and osmotic stress, and the extended lifespan of the nematodes. The plant extracts tested showed promising results in increasing stress resistance in the nematode model. Further analyses are needed, in order to unravel underlying mechanisms and transfer results to humans.