Curcumin Acetylsalicylate Extends the Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans

Synergistic anti-aging effect of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide and spermidine: A metabolomics analysis focusing on the regulation of lipid, nucleotide and energy metabolism

The importance of synergy has been underscored in recent medical research for augmenting the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, targeting multiple biological pathways simultaneously. Our prior research elucidated that Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DOP) has the potential to prolong the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) via regulating gut microbiota. Concurrently, spermidine (Spd), as a mimicking caloric restriction, facilitates autophagy and exerts a pronounced anti-aging effect. To enhance the anti-aging capabilities of DOP, we conducted a comprehensive study examining the combined effects of DOP and Spd in C. elegans, incorporating metabolomics analysis to investigate the underlying mechanisms. A combination of 250 mg/L DOP and 29.0 mg/L Spd yielded the most favorable outcomes in lifespan extension, evidencing a synergistic effect with a combination index (CI) of 0.65. In oxidative and heat stress tolerance assays, the observed CIs were 0.50 and 0.33, respectively. Metabolomic analysis highlighted significant alterations in metabolites related to lipid, nucleotide and energy metabolism, notably regulating glycerol 3-phosphate, linoleoyl glycerol, docosapentaenoic acid and β-nicotinamide mononucleotide, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The effects of DS on lipid metabolism were further validated using Oil Red O staining and triglyceride level in C. elegans. The results indicated that DS may primarily be via modulating lipid metabolism. To further confirm these findings, a high-fat diet-induced mouse model was employed. Consequently, it can be inferred that the synergistic anti-aging impact of DOP and Spd is likely mediated primarily through alterations in lipid metabolic processes.

Cellular oxidants and the proteostasis network: balance between activation and destruction

Loss of protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is a common hallmark of aging and age-associated diseases. Considered as the guardian of proteostasis, the proteostasis network (PN) acts to preserve the functionality of proteins during their lifetime. However, its activity declines with age, leading to disease manifestation. While reactive oxygen species (ROS) were traditionally considered culprits in this process, recent research challenges this view. While harmful at high concentrations, moderate ROS levels protect the cell against age-mediated onset of proteotoxicity by activating molecular chaperones, stress response pathways, and autophagy. This review explores the nuanced roles of ROS in proteostasis and discusses the most recent findings regarding the redox regulation of the PN and its potential in extending healthspan and delaying age-related pathologies.

Transgenerational hormesis in healthy aging and antiaging medicine from bench to clinics: Role of food components

Neurodegenerative diseases have multifactorial pathogenesis, mainly involving neuroinflammatory processes. Finding drugs able to treat these diseases, expecially because for most of these diseases there are no effective drugs, and the current drugs cause undesired side effects, represent a crucial point. Most in vivo and in vitro studies have been concentrated on various aspects related to neurons (e.g. neuroprotection), however, there has not been focus on the prevention of early stages involving glial cell activation and neuroinflammation. Recently, it has been demonstrated that nutritional phytochemicals including polyphenols, the main active constituents of the Mediterranean diet, maintain redox balance and neuroprotection through the activation of hormetic vitagene pathway. Recent lipidomics data from our laboratory indicate mushrooms as strong nutritional neuronutrients with strongly activity against neuroinflammation in Meniere' diseaseas, a model of cochleovestibular neural degeneration, as well as in animal model of traumatic brain injury, or rotenone induced parkinson's disease. Moreover, Hidrox®, an aqueous extract of olive containing hydroxytyrosol, and Boswellia, acting as Nrf2 activators, promote resilience by enhancing the redox potential, and thus, regulate through hormetic mechanisms, cellular stress response mechanisms., Thus, modulation of cellular stress pathways, in particular vitagenes system, may be an innovative approach for therapeutic intervention in neurodegenerative disorders.

Rosavin extends lifespan via the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans

Rosavin, a phenylpropanoid glycoside, is the specific index component and one of the main active components of Rhodiola rosea. Currently, there are few studies describing the antiaging effect of rosavin, and most of them are mainly based on in vitro antioxidant research. Our study aimed to investigate the antiaging activities and mechanisms of rosavin in Caenorhabditis elegans. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as the model, the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans under various stressors (heat and juglone) and normal conditions was studied, and the antioxidant activities of rosavin were discussed. To discover the underlying mechanisms, we analyzed daf-16 nuclear localization, the expression of the sod-3p::GFP fusion protein, mRNA levels, and loss-of-function mutants of IIS-associated genes. The results showed that rosavin significantly improved the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans under stress and normal conditions. Rosavin can increase the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes and suppress the generation of malondialdehyde and ROS in nematodes. Additionally, it promotes the nuclear localization of daf-16 and improves the expression of the sod-3 gene in Caenorhabditis elegans. The data revealed that rosavin activated the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway by downregulating the upstream components daf-2 and age-1. In summary, these results verify that rosavin could increase the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans through the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway.

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.

Potential Effects of Akkermansia Muciniphila in Aging and Aging-Related Diseases: Current Evidence and Perspectives

Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) is an anaerobic bacterium that widely colonizes the mucus layer of the human and animal gut. The role of this symbiotic bacterium in host metabolism, inflammation, and cancer immunotherapy has been extensively investigated over the past 20 years. Recently, a growing number of studies have revealed a link between A. muciniphila, and aging and aging-related diseases (ARDs). Research in this area is gradually shifting from correlation analysis to exploration of causal relationships. Here, we systematically reviewed the association of A. muciniphila with aging and ARDs (including vascular degeneration, neurodegenerative diseases, osteoporosis, chronic kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes). Furthermore, we summarize the potential mechanisms of action of A. muciniphila and offer perspectives for future studies.

Ameliorative effects of Bifidobacterium longum peptide-1 on benzo(α)pyrene induced oxidative damages via daf-16 in Caenorhabditis elegans

Oxidative stress is implicated in numerous diseases, with benzo(α)pyrene (BaP) known for causing substantial oxidative damage. Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) is recognized as an antioxidant bacterium for certain hosts, yet its influence on oxidative damages instigated by BaP remains undetermined. In our study, we introduced various strains of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to BaP to trigger oxidative stress, subsequently treating them with different forms of B. longum to evaluate its protective effects. Additionally, we explored the role of daf-16 in this context. Our findings indicated that in wild-type N2 C. elegans, B. longum-even in the form of inactivated bacteria or bacterial ultrasonic lysates (BULs)-significantly extended lifespan. BaP exposure notably decreased lifespan, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and motility, while simultaneously down-regulating the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-associated genes (sod-3, sek-1, cat-1) and daf-16 downstream genes (sod-3, ctl-2). However, it significantly increased the ROS level, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and lipofuscin accumulation and up-regulated another daf-16 downstream gene (clk-1) (P <0.05). Interestingly, when further treated with B. longum peptide-1 (BLP-1), opposite effects were observed, and all the aforementioned indices changed significantly. In the case of RNAi (daf-16) C. elegans, BaP exposure significantly shortened the lifespan (P <0.05), which was only slightly prolonged upon further treatment with BLP-1. Furthermore, the expression of daf-16 downstream genes showed minor alterations in RNAi C. elegans upon treatment with either BaP or BLP-1. In conclusion, our findings suggest that B. longum acts as a probiotic for C. elegans. BLP-1 was shown to safeguard C. elegans from numerous oxidative damages induced by BaP, but these protective effects were contingent upon the daf-16 gene.

Dietary antioxidants and lifespan: Relevance of environmental conditions, diet, and genotype of experimental models

The rise of life expectancy in current societies is not accompanied, to date, by a similar increase in healthspan, which represents a great socio-economic problem. It has been suggested that aging can be manipulated and then, the onset of all age-associated chronic disorders can be delayed because these pathologies share age as primary underlying risk factor. One of the most extended ideas is that aging is consequence of the accumulation of molecular damage. According to the oxidative damage theory, antioxidants should slow down aging, extending lifespan and healthspan. The present review analyzes studies evaluating the effect of dietary antioxidants on lifespan of different aging models and discusses the evidence on favor of their antioxidant activity as anti-aging mechanisms. Moreover, possible causes for differences between the reported results are evaluated.

Paeoniflorin mitigates high glucose-induced lifespan reduction by inhibiting insulin signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans

In organisms, high glucose can cause several aspects of toxicity, including the lifespan reduction. Paeoniflorin is the major component of Paeoniaceae plants. Nevertheless, the possible effect of paeoniflorin to suppress high glucose toxicity in reducing lifespan and underlying mechanism are largely unclear. Thus, in this study, we examined the possible effect of paeoniflorin in suppressing high glucose (50 mM)-induced lifespan reduction and the underlying mechanism in Caenorhabditis elegans. Administration with 16-64 mg/L paeoniflorin could prolong the lifespan in glucose treated nematodes. Accompanied with this beneficial effect, in glucose treated nematodes, expressions of daf-2 encoding insulin receptor and its downstream kinase genes (age-1, akt-1, and akt-2) were decreased and expression of daf-16 encoding FOXO transcriptional factor was increased by 16-64 mg/L paeoniflorin administration. Meanwhile, the effect of paeoniflorin in extending lifespan in glucose treated nematodes was enhanced by RNAi of daf-2, age-1, akt-1, and akt-2 and inhibited by RNAi of daf-16. In glucose treated nematodes followed by paeoniflorin administration, the increased lifespan caused by daf-2 RNAi could be suppressed by RNAi of daf-16, suggesting that DAF-2 acted upstream of DAF-16 to regulate pharmacological effect of paeoniflorin. Moreover, in glucose treated nematodes followed by paeoniflorin administration, expression of sod-3 encoding mitochondrial Mn-SOD was inhibited by daf-16 RNAi, and the effect of paeoniflorin in extending lifespan in glucose treated nematodes could be suppressed by sod-3 RNAi. Molecular docking analysis indicated the binding potential of paeoniflorin with DAF-2, AGE-1, AKT-1, and AKT-2. Therefore, our results demonstrated the beneficial effect of paeoniflorin administration in inhibiting glucose-induced lifespan reduction by suppressing signaling cascade of DAF-2-AGE-1-AKT-1/2-DAF-16-SOD-3 in insulin signaling pathway.

Anti-oxidant response of lipidom modulates lipid metabolism in Caenorhabditis elegans and in OxLDL-induced human macrophages by tuning inflammatory mediators

Atherosclerosis is the main pathological process of several cardiovascular diseases. It may begin early in life and stay latent and asymptomatic for an extended period before its clinical manifestation. The formation of foamy macrophages due to dysregulated lipid metabolism is a key event in the development and progression of atherosclerotic plaque. The current pharmacotherapy for atherosclerosis is not able to address multiple aetiologies associated with the disease. Lipidom, an herbal prescription medicine, has anti-oxidant, lipid lowering and anti-inflammatory properties that lead to multifaceted treatment benefits against chronic inflammation, dyslipidaemia, and oxidative stress. The present study aimed to characterize the pharmacological effects of Lipidom using various experimental models. The phytochemical analysis of Lipidom was performed on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) platform. Lipidom was evaluated for cytosafety, IL-1β and MCP-1 release, modulation of NLRP3 pathway, NFκB activity, ROS generation, lipid accumulation and gene expression in THP1 macrophages. Furthermore, Lipidom evaluation was also performed in the N2, CF1553, and TJ356 strains of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The evaluation of brood size, adult (%), lipid accumulation, triglyceride levels, SOD-3 GFP signal, MDA formation, DAF-16 nuclear translocation, and gene expression was performed in C. elegans. Lipidom treatment significantly reduced the inflammatory mediators, lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and normalized genes involved in the development of foamy macrophages. Lipidom treated C. elegans showed a significant decline in lipid accumulation and oxidative stress. Taken together, Lipidom treatment showed a multifaceted approach in the modulation of several mediators responsible for the development and progression of atherosclerotic plaque.

The impact of curcumin on livestock and poultry animal's performance and management of insect pests

Plant-based natural products are alternative to antibiotics that can be employed as growth promoters in livestock and poultry production and attractive alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides for insect pest management. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol compound from the rhizomes of turmeric (Curcuma spp.) and has been suggested to have a number of therapeutic benefits in the treatment of human diseases. It is also credited for its nutritional and pesticide properties improving livestock and poultry production performances and controlling insect pests. Recent studies reported that curcumin is an excellent feed additive contributing to poultry and livestock animal growth and disease resistance. Also, they detailed the curcumin's growth-inhibiting and insecticidal activity for reducing agricultural insect pests and insect vector-borne human diseases. This review aims to highlight the role of curcumin in increasing the growth and development of poultry and livestock animals and in controlling insect pests. We also discuss the challenges and knowledge gaps concerning curcumin use and commercialization as a feed additive and insect repellent.

Genistein Promotes Anti-Heat Stress and Antioxidant Effects via the Coordinated Regulation of IIS, HSP, MAPK, DR, and Mitochondrial Pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans

To determine the anti-heat stress and antioxidant effects of genistein and the underlying mechanisms, lipofuscin, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and survival under stress were first detected in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans); then the localization and quantification of the fluorescent protein was determined by detecting the fluorescently labeled protein mutant strain; in addition, the aging-related mRNAs were detected by applying real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR in C. elegans. The results indicate that genistein substantially extended the lifespan of C. elegans under oxidative stress and heat conditions; and remarkably reduced the accumulation of lipofuscin in C. elegans under hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and 35 °C stress conditions; in addition, it reduced the generation of ROS caused by H₂O₂ and upregulated the expression of daf-16, ctl-1, hsf-1, hsp-16.2, sip-1, sek-1, pmk-1, and eat-2, whereas it downregulated the expression of age-1 and daf-2 in C. elegans; similarly, it upregulated the expression of daf-16, sod-3, ctl-1, hsf-1, hsp-16.2, sip-1, sek-1, pmk-1, jnk-1 skn-1, and eat-2, whereas it downregulated the expression of age-1, daf-2, gst-4, and hsp-12.6 in C. elegans at 35 °C; moreover, it increased the accumulation of HSP-16.2 and SKN-1 proteins in nematodes under 35 °C and H₂O₂ conditions; however, it failed to prolong the survival time in the deleted mutant MQ130 nematodes under 35 °C and H₂O₂ conditions. These results suggest that genistein promote anti-heat stress and antioxidant effects in C. elegans via insulin/-insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS), heat shock protein (HSP), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), dietary restriction (DR), and mitochondrial pathways.

Sea cucumber (Acaudina leucoprocta) peptides extended the lifespan and enhanced antioxidant capacity via DAF-16/DAF-2/SOD-3/OLD-1/PEPT-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans

The sea cucumber peptides (SCPs) from Acaudina leucoprocta were derived from the patented bio-enzyme digestion technology and the molecular weight of obtained SCPs was < 10 kDa. In this study, we investigated the possible anti-aging effects of SCPs on the model of Caenorhabditis elegans and the underlying mechanisms. SCPs extend the average lifespan of nematodes by 31.46%. SCPs enhance the anti-stress capacity of C. elegans by improving heat resistance and mobility, Also, the accumulated potential oxidative stress inducers like lipofuscin and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were reduced to 40.84 and 71.43%. In addition, SCPs can increase the antioxidant capacity in nematodes by enhancing the activity of SOD and CAT and reducing MDA accumulation in nematodes to 32.44%. Mechanistically, SCPs could mediate DAF-16/DAF-2/SOD-3/OLD-1/PEPT-1 axis to improve antioxidant capacity and extend lifespan in nematodes. Taken together, these findings provide a direction for the anti-aging effects of sea cucumber peptides and new insights into the further purifications of SCPs and future research on aging.

Elucidation of the nematicidal mode of action of grammicin on Caenorhabditis elegans

Grammicin (Gra) is derived from the endophytic fungus Xylaria grammica EL000614 and shows nematicidal activity against the devastating root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in-vitro, in planta, and in-field experiments. However, the mechanism of the nematicidal action of Gra remains unclear. In this study, Gra exposure to the model genetic organism Caenorhabditis elegans affected its L1, L2/3, L4, and young adult stages. In addition, Gra treatment increased the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of C. elegans and M. incognita. Molecular docking interaction analysis indicated that Gra could bind and interact with GCS-1, GST-4, and DAF-16a in order of low binding energy, followed by SOD-3, SKN-1, and DAF-16b. This implies that the anthelmintic action of Gra is related to the oxidative stress response. To validate this mechanism, we examined the expression of the genes involved in the oxidative stress responses following treatment with Gra using transgenic C. elegans strains such as the TJ356 strain zIs356 [daf-16p::daf-16a/b::GFP + rol-6 (su1006)], LD1 ldIs7 [skn-1p::skn-1b/c::GFP + rol-6 (su1006)], LD1171 ldIs3 [gcs-1p::GFP + rol-6 (su1006)], CL2166 dvIs19 [(pAF15) gst-4p::GFP::NLS], and CF1553 strain muIs84 [(pAD76) sod-3p::GFP + rol-6 (su1006)]. Gra treatment caused nuclear translocation of DAF-16/FoxO and enhanced gst-4::GFP expression, but it had no change in sod-3::GFP expression. These results indicate that Gra induces oxidative stress response via phase II detoxification without reduced cellular redox machinery. Gra treatment also inhibited the nuclear localization of SKN-1::GFP in the intestine, which may lead to a condition in which oxidative stress tolerance is insufficient to protect C. elegans by the inactivation of SKN-1, thus inducing nematode lethality. Furthermore, Gra caused the mortality of two mutant strains of C. elegans, CB113 and DA1316, which are resistant to aldicarb and ivermectin, respectively. This indicates that the mode of action of Gra is different from the traditional nematicides currently in use, suggesting that it could help develop novel approaches to control plant-parasitic nematodes.

Supplementation with Queen Bee Larva Powder Extended the Longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans

Queen bee larva (QBL) is one kind of important edible insect that is harvested during royal jelly production process. QBL has many physiological functions; however, limited information is available regarding its antiaging effects. In this study, the antiaging function of freeze-dried QBL powder (QBLP) was investigated by combining the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model and transcriptomics. The administration of QBLP to C. elegans was shown to improve lifespan parameters. Additionally, QBLP improved the mobility of nematodes. Transcriptome analysis showed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in Gene Ontology (GO) terms that were almost all related to the biological functions of cell metabolism and stress, which are associated with lifespan. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis suggested that the lifespan of C. elegans was related to the longevity regulating pathway-worm. The expression levels of the key genes sod-3, gst-6, hsp-12.6, lips-7, ins-8, and lips-17 were upregulated. sod-3, hsp-12.6, lips-7, and lips-17 are downstream targets of DAF-16, which is an important transcription factor related to lifespan extension. CF1038 (daf-16(mu86)) supplemented with QBLP did not show a life-prolonging. This indicates that the antiaging function of QBLP is closely related to daf-16. Thus, QBLP is a component that could potentially be used as a functional material to ameliorate aging and aging-related symptoms.

Dietary Supplements and Natural Products: An Update on Their Clinical Effectiveness and Molecular Mechanisms of Action During Accelerated Biological Aging

Accelerated biological aging, which involves the gradual decline of organ or tissue functions and the distortion of physiological processes, underlies several human diseases. Away from the earlier free radical concept, telomere attrition, cellular senescence, proteostasis loss, mitochondrial dysfunction, stem cell exhaustion, and epigenetic and genomic alterations have emerged as biological hallmarks of aging. Moreover, nutrient-sensing metabolic pathways are critical to an organism's ability to sense and respond to nutrient levels. Pharmaceutical, genetic, and nutritional interventions reverting physiological declines by targeting nutrient-sensing metabolic pathways can promote healthy aging and increase lifespan. On this basis, biological aging hallmarks and nutrient-sensing dependent and independent pathways represent evolving drug targets for many age-linked diseases. Here, we discuss and update the scientific community on contemporary advances in how dietary supplements and natural products beneficially revert accelerated biological aging processes to retrograde human aging and age-dependent human diseases, both from the clinical and preclinical studies point-of-view. Overall, our review suggests that dietary/natural products increase healthspan-rather than lifespan-effectively minimizing the period of frailty at the end of life. However, real-world setting clinical trials and basic studies on dietary supplements and natural products are further required to decisively demonstrate whether dietary/natural products could promote human lifespan.