scholarly journals Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott Fruits Increase Stress Resistance and Exert Antioxidant Properties in Caenorhabditis elegans and Mouse Models

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (14) ◽  
pp. 2633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Thabit ◽  
Heba Handoussa ◽  
Mariana Roxo ◽  
Bruna Cestari de Azevedo ◽  
Nesrine S.E. El Sayed ◽  
...  

Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott is a popular Asian tree widely used in traditional medicine. The current study explored the potential stress resistance and antioxidant activities of its fruits. Phytochemical profiling of the hydroalcoholic fruit extract was done via high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array-electrospray ionization-mass/mass (HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS). Twenty four phenolic constituents were tentatively identified in the extract. The Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) nematode model in addition to trimethyltin (TMT)-induced neurotoxicity mouse model were used for in vivo evaluation of its antioxidant properties. The ability of the extract to enhance stress resistance was manifested through increasing survival rate by 44.7% and decreasing basal reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by 72.3% in C. elegans. In addition, the extract increased the levels of the stress response enzyme superoxide dismutase-3 (Sod-3) by 55.5% and decreased the expression of heat shock protein-16.2 (Hsp-16.2) in nematodes, which had been challenged by juglone, by 21%. Using a mouse model, the extract significantly decreased the expression of the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, an elevation in the levels of the antioxidant marker glutathione (GSH), SOD and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) enzymes were observed. Our findings imply that Styphnolobium japonicum has the potential to be used in future studies focusing on diseases associated with oxidative stress.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Mani Iyer Prasanth ◽  
James Michael Brimson ◽  
Dicson Sheeja Malar ◽  
Anchalee Prasansuklab ◽  
Tewin Tencomnao

BACKGROUND: Streblus asper Lour., has been reported to have anti-aging and neuroprotective efficacies in vitro. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the anti-aging, anti-photoaging and neuroprotective efficacies of S. asper in Caenorhabditis elegans. METHODS: C. elegans (wild type and gene specific mutants) were treated with S. asper extract and analyzed for lifespan and other health benefits through physiological assays, fluorescence microscopy, qPCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The plant extract was found to increase the lifespan, reduce the accumulation of lipofuscin and modulate the expression of candidate genes. It could extend the lifespan of both daf-16 and daf-2 mutants whereas the pmk-1 mutant showed no effect. The activation of skn-1 was observed in skn-1::GFP transgenic strain and in qPCR expression. Further, the extract can extend the lifespan of UV-A exposed nematodes along with reducing ROS levels. Additionally, the extract also extends lifespan and reduces paralysis in Aβ transgenic strain, apart from reducing Aβ expression. CONCLUSIONS: S. asper was able to extend the lifespan and healthspan of C. elegans which was independent of DAF-16 pathway but dependent on SKN-1 and MAPK which could play a vital role in eliciting the anti-aging, anti-photoaging and neuroprotective effects, as the extract could impart oxidative stress resistance and neuroprotection.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanhui Meng ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Yanqiu Rao ◽  
Wenjun Wang ◽  
Yan Fu

Gengnianchun (GNC), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is believed to have beneficial effects on ageing-related diseases, such as antioxidant properties and effects against Aβ-induced toxicity. We previously found that GNC extended the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans. However, the mechanism underlying this effect was unclear. In this study, we further explored the mechanisms of GNC using a C. elegans model. GNC significantly increased the lifespan of C. elegans and enhanced oxidative and thermal stress resistance. Moreover, chemotaxis increased after GNC treatment. RNA-seq analysis showed that GNC regulated genes associated with longevity. We also conducted lifespan assays with a series of worm mutants. The results showed that GNC significantly extended the lifespan of several mutant strains, including eat-2 (ad465), rsks-1 (ok1255), and glp-1 (e2144), suggesting that the prolongevity effect of GNC is independent of the function of these genes. However, GNC failed to extend the lifespan of daf-2 (e1370), age-1 (hx546), and daf-16 (mu86) mutant strains. Our findings suggest that GNC extends the lifespan of C. elegans via the insulin/IGF-1 signalling pathway and may be a potential antiageing agent.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1517
Author(s):  
Sofia M. Gutierrez-Zetina ◽  
Susana González-Manzano ◽  
Begoña Ayuda-Durán ◽  
Celestino Santos-Buelga ◽  
Ana M. González-Paramás

Caffeic and dihydrocaffeic acid are relevant microbial catabolites, being described as products from the degradation of different phenolic compounds i.e., hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives, anthocyanins or flavonols. Furthermore, caffeic acid is found both in free and esterified forms in many fruits and in high concentrations in coffee. These phenolic acids may be responsible for a part of the bioactivity associated with the intake of phenolic compounds. With the aim of progressing in the knowledge of the health effects and mechanisms of action of dietary phenolics, the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been used to evaluate the influence of caffeic and dihydrocaffeic acids on lifespan and the oxidative stress resistance. The involvement of different genes and transcription factors related to longevity and stress resistance in the response to these phenolic acids has also been explored. Caffeic acid (CA, 200 μM) and dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA, 300 μM) induced an increase in the survival rate of C. elegans under thermal stress. Both compounds also increased the mean and maximum lifespan of the nematode, compared to untreated worms. In general, treatment with these acids led to a reduction in intracellular ROS concentrations, although not always significant. Results of gene expression studies conducted by RT-qPCR showed that the favorable effects of CA and DHCA on oxidative stress and longevity involve the activation of several genes related to insulin/IGF-1 pathway, such as daf-16, daf-18, hsf-1 and sod-3, as well as a sirtuin gene (sir-2.1).


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1482
Author(s):  
Shasika Jayarathne ◽  
Latha Ramalingam ◽  
Hunter Edwards ◽  
Siva A. Vanapalli ◽  
Naima Moustaid-Moussa

Aging and healthspan are determined by both environmental and genetic factors. The insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) pathway is a key mediator of aging in Caenorhabditis elegans and mammals. Specifically, DAF-2 signaling, an ortholog of human IGF, controls DAF-16/FOXO transcription factor, a master regulator of metabolism and longevity. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are both linked to aging. We propose that daily supplementation of tart cherry extract (TCE), rich in anthocyanins with antioxidant properties may exert dual benefits for mitochondrial function and oxidative stress, resulting in beneficial effects on aging in C. elegans. We found that TCE supplementation at 6 μg or 12 μg/mL, increased (p < 0.05) the mean lifespan of wild type N2 worms, respectively, when compared to untreated control worms. Consistent with these findings, TCE upregulated (p < 0.05) expression of longevity-related genes such as daf-16 and aak-2 (but not daf-2 or akt-1 genes) and genes related to oxidative stress such as sod-2. Further, we showed that TCE supplementation increased spare respiration in N2 worms. However, TCE did not change the mean lifespan of daf-16 and aak-2 mutant worms. In conclusion, our findings indicate that TCE confers healthspan benefits in C. elegans through enhanced mitochondrial function and reduced oxidative stress, mainly via the DAF-16 pathway.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keting Bao ◽  
Jiali Feng ◽  
Wenwen Liu ◽  
Zhifan Mao ◽  
Tianyue Sun ◽  
...  

While screening our in-house 1,072 marketed drugs for their ability to extend the lifespan using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as an animal model, crotamiton (N-ethyl-o-crotonotoluidide) showed anti-aging activity and was selected for further structural optimization. After replacing the ortho-methyl of crotamiton with ortho-fluoro, crotamiton derivative JM03 was obtained and showed better activity in terms of lifespan-extension and stress resistance than crotamiton. It was further explored that JM03 extended the lifespan of C. elegans through osmotic avoidance abnormal-9 (OSM-9). Besides, JM03 improves the ability of nematode to resist oxidative stress and hypertonic stress through OSM-9, but not osm-9/capsaicin receptor related-2 (OCR-2). Then the inhibition of OSM-9 by JM03 reduces the aggregation of Q35 in C. elegans via upregulating the genes associated with proteostasis. SKN-1 signaling was also found to be activated after JM03 treatment, which might contribute to proteostasis, stress resistance and lifespan extension. In summary, this study explored a new small molecule derived from crotamiton, which has efficient anti-oxidative, anti-hypertonic and anti-aging effects, and could further lead to promising application prospects.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanhui Meng ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Wenjun Wang ◽  
Yan Fu

Objective. Gengnianchun (GNC), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is primarily used to improve declining functions related to aging. In this study, we investigated its prolongevity and stress resistance properties and explored the associated regulatory mechanism using a Caenorhabditis elegans model. Methods. Wild-type C. elegans N2 was used for lifespan analysis and oxidative stress resistance assays. Transgenic animals were used to investigate pathways associated with antioxidative stress activity. The effects of GNC on levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression of specific genes were examined. Results. GNC-treated wild-type worms showed an increase in survival time under both normal and oxidative stress conditions. GNC decreased intracellular ROS levels by 67.95%. GNC significantly enhanced the oxidative stress resistance of several mutant strains, suggesting that the protective effect of GNC is independent of the function of these genes. However, the oxidative stress resistance effect of GNC was absent in worms with daf-16 mutation. We also found upregulation of daf-16 downstream targets including sod-3 and mtl-1. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that GNC extends the lifespan of C. elegans and enhances its resistance to oxidative stress via a daf-16/FOXO-dependent pathway. This study also provides a feasible method for screening the biological mechanisms of TCMs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chatrawee Duangjan ◽  
Panthakarn Rangsinth ◽  
Xiaojie Gu ◽  
Michael Wink ◽  
Tewin Tencomnao

Anacardium occidentale (AO) contains a number of polyphenolic secondary metabolites with antioxidant activity. The objectives of this study were aimed at investigating the roles of AO leaf extracts in antioxidative stress and longevity, as well as their underlying mechanisms, in the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model. AO extracts mediated the survival rate of nematodes under oxidative stress by attenuating intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the DAF-16/FoxO and SKN-1/Nrf-2 signaling pathways. AO extracts stimulated the expression of stress response genes including SOD-3 and GST-4. Moreover, AO extracts exhibited antiaging activities and enhanced longevity. We observed improved pharyngeal pumping function, attenuation of pigment accumulation (lipofuscin), and an increased lifespan of the worms. Collectively, our results demonstrated that AO extracts exerted both oxidative stress resistance and antiaging properties in the C. elegans model and may lead to new agents to benefit humans in the near future.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 479
Author(s):  
Seong Hoon Kim ◽  
Hye-Won Yum ◽  
Seung Hyeon Kim ◽  
Wonki Kim ◽  
Su-Jung Kim ◽  
...  

Taurine chloramine (TauCl) is an endogenous anti-inflammatory substance which is derived from taurine, a semi-essential sulfur-containing β-amino acid found in some foods including meat, fish, eggs and milk. In general, TauCl as well as its parent compound taurine downregulates production of tissue-damaging proinflammatory mediators, such as chemokines and cytokines in many different types of cells. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of TauCl on experimentally induced colon inflammation. Oral administration of TauCl protected against mouse colitis caused by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). TauCl administration attenuated apoptosis in the colonic mucosa of TNBS-treated mice. This was accompanied by reduced expression of an oxidative stress marker, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and proinflammatory molecules including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 in mouse colon. TauCl also inhibited activation of NFκB and STAT3, two key transcription factors mediating proinflammatory signaling. Notably, the protective effect of TauCl on oxidative stress and inflammation in the colon of TNBS-treated mice was associated with elevated activation of Nrf2 and upregulation of its target genes encoding heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, and glutathione S-transferase. Taken together, these results suggest that TauCl exerts the protective effect against colitis through upregulation of Nrf2-dependent cytoprotective gene expression while blocking the proinflammatory signaling mediated by NFκB and STAT3.


Hypertension ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Wang ◽  
Nhu Nguyen ◽  
Keith Nehrke ◽  
Paul S Brookes ◽  
Thu H Le

The glutathione S-transferase ( Gst ) gene family encodes antioxidant enzymes. In humans, a common null allele deletion variant of GST μ-1 ( GSTM1 ) is highly prevalent across populations and is associated with increased risk and progression of various diseases. Using a Gstm1 knockout (KO) mouse model, we previously showed that KO mice with angiotensin II-induced hypertension (HTN) have increased kidney injury compared to wild-type (WT) controls, mediated by elevated oxidative stress. In the same mouse model, we have recently reported that in a Langendorff-perfused cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) model, where damage is also mediated by oxidative stress, male KO hearts are protected while females are not. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms for this difference in male hearts. WT and KO mice of both sexes were studied at 12-20 weeks of age. Hearts were snap frozen at baseline and after 25 min of global ischemia, and kidneys were collected at baseline and 4 weeks following HTN induction. A panel of 18 Gst genes were probed by qPCR from baseline hearts and kidneys of both sexes. Global metabolites were assayed using Metabolon, Inc. from hearts of both sexes and kidneys of males, at both baseline and diseased states. Analysis by qPCR (n = 3/group) showed that male, but not female, KO hearts had upregulation of other Gst s. In contrast, no significant differences between were found in male kidneys. Metabolomics (n = 6/group) detected 695 metabolites in hearts and 926 in kidneys. There were increases in several metabolites in KO vs. WT hearts including those with antioxidant properties. Notably, increases in carnosine and anserine were observed in KO male hearts but not in female hearts, while that of other antioxidant-related metabolites were observed in hearts of both sexes, but not in kidneys. HTN induced significant increases in metabolites in KO vs. WT kidneys in the pathways related to and linking methionine, cysteine, and glutathione, which were not observed in hearts. In this study, gene expression and metabolites suggest that the mechanisms compensating for the loss of GSTM1 are both tissue and sex specific. The resulting differences in antioxidant enzymes and metabolites may explain the unexpected protection for male Gstm1 KO hearts in IRI.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Ma ◽  
Xiaoyuan Xu ◽  
Ranran Wang ◽  
Haijing Yan ◽  
Huijuan Yao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of carnosine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced injury in Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods C. elegans individuals were stimulated for 24 h with LPS (100 μg/mL), with or without carnosine (0.1, 1, 10 mM). The survival rates and behaviors were determined. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were determined using the respective kits. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to validate the differential expression of sod-1, sod-2, sod-3, daf-16, ced-3, ced-9, sek-1, and pmk-1. Western blotting was used to determine the levels of SEK1, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), cleaved caspase3, and Bcl-2. C. elegans sek-1 (km2) mutants and pmk-1 (km25) mutants were used to elucidate the role of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Results Carnosine improved the survival of LPS-treated C. elegans and rescued behavioral phenotypes. It also restrained oxidative stress by decreasing MDA levels and increasing SOD, GR, CAT, and GSH levels. RT-PCR results showed that carnosine treatment of wild-type C. elegans up-regulated the mRNA expression of the antioxidant-related genes sod-1, sod-2, sod-3, and daf-16. The expression of the anti-apoptosis-related gene ced-9 and apoptosis-related gene ced-3 was reversed by carnosine. In addition, carnosine treatment significantly decreased cleaved caspase3 levels and increased Bcl-2 levels in LPS-treated C. elegans. Apoptosis in the loss-of-function strains of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway was suppressed under LPS stress; however, the apoptotic effects of LPS were blocked in the sek-1 and pmk-1 mutants. The expression levels of sek-1 and pmk-1 mRNAs were up-regulated by LPS and reversed by carnosine. Finally, the expression of p-p38MAPK and SEK1 was significantly increased by LPS, which was reversed by carnosine. Conclusion Carnosine treatment protected against LPS injury by decreasing oxidative stress and inhibiting apoptosis through the p38 MAPK pathway.


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