scholarly journals Bioactive Phytochemicals with Anti-Aging and Lifespan Extending Potentials in Caenorhabditis elegans

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (23) ◽  
pp. 7323
Author(s):  
Nkwachukwu Oziamara Okoro ◽  
Arome Solomon Odiba ◽  
Patience Ogoamaka Osadebe ◽  
Edwin Ogechukwu Omeje ◽  
Guiyan Liao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
The Past ◽  
Perfect System ◽  
Health Quality ◽  
Bioactive Phytochemicals ◽  
Improve Health

In the forms of either herbs or functional foods, plants and their products have attracted medicinal, culinary, and nutraceutical applications due to their abundance in bioactive phytochemicals. Human beings and other animals have employed those bioactive phytochemicals to improve health quality based on their broad potentials as antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-aging effects, amongst others. For the past decade and half, efforts to discover bioactive phytochemicals both in pure and crude forms have been intensified using the Caenorhabditis elegans aging model, in which various metabolic pathways in humans are highly conserved. In this review, we summarized the aging and longevity pathways that are common to C. elegans and humans and collated some of the bioactive phytochemicals with health benefits and lifespan extending effects that have been studied in C. elegans. This simple animal model is not only a perfect system for discovering bioactive compounds but is also a research shortcut for elucidating the amelioration mechanisms of aging risk factors and associated diseases.

Withanone Ameliorates Stress Symptoms in Caenorhabditis Elegans by Acting through Serotonin Receptors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Naß ◽  
Thomas Efferth
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Serotonin Receptors ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Serotonin System

Abstract Introduction Depression is responsible for 800 000 deaths worldwide, a number that will rise significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Affordable novel drugs with less severe side effects are urgently required. We investigated the effect of withanone (WN) from Withania somnifera on the serotonin system of wild-type and knockout Caenorhabditis elegans strains using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methods. Methods WN or fluoxetine (as positive control drug) was administered to wild-type (N2) and knockout C. elegans strains (AQ866, DA1814, DA2100, DA2109, and MT9772) to determine their effect on oxidative stress (Trolox, H2DCFDA, and juglone assays) on osmotic stress and heat stress and lifespan. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was applied to investigate the effect of WN or fluoxetine on the expression of serotonin receptors (ser-1, ser-4, ser-7) and serotonin transporter (mod-5). The binding affinity of WN to serotonin receptors and transporter was analyzed in silico using AutoDock 4.2.6. Results WN scavenged ROS in wild-type and knockout C. elegans and prolonged their lifespan. WN upregulated the expression of serotonin receptor and transporter genes. In silico analyses revealed high binding affinities of WN to Ser-1, Ser-4, Ser-7, and Mod-5. Limitations Further studies are needed to prove whether the results from C. elegans are transferrable to mammals and human beings. Conclusion WN ameliorated depressive-associated stress symptoms by activating the serotonin system. WN may serve as potential candidate in developing new drugs to treat depression.

scholarly journals Effects of Orange Extracts on Longevity, Healthspan, and Stress Resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Wang ◽  
Na Deng ◽  
Hong Wang ◽  
Tong Li ◽  
Ling Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Stress Resistance ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Ultraviolet B ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
The Mean

Orange, with various bioactive phytochemicals, exerts various beneficial health effects, including anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its anti-aging effects remain unclear. In this study, the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model was used to evaluate the effects of orange extracts on lifespan and stress resistance. The results indicated that orange extracts dose-dependently increased the mean lifespan of C. elegans by 10.5%, 18.0%, and 26.2% at the concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 mg/mL, respectively. Meanwhile, orange extracts promoted the healthspan by improving motility, and decreasing the accumulation of age pigment and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels without damaging fertility. The survival rates of orange extract-fed worms were obviously higher than those of untreated worms against thermal and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) stress. Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly enhanced while malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were diminished. Further investigation revealed that worms supplemented with orange extracts resulted in upregulated levels of genes, including daf-16, sod-3, gst-4, sek-1, and skn-1, and the downregulation of age-1 expression. These findings revealed that orange extracts have potential anti-aging effects through extending the lifespan, enhancing stress resistance, and promoting the healthspan.

scholarly journals Chlorophyll enhances oxidative stress tolerance inCaenorhabditis elegansand extends its lifespan

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erjia Wang ◽  
Michael Wink
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Model System ◽  
The Body ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Oxidative Stress Tolerance ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Dependent Pathway

Green vegetables are thought to be responsible for several beneficial properties such as antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, and detoxification activities. It is not known whether these effects are due to chlorophyll which exists in large amounts in many foods or result from other secondary metabolites. In this study, we used the model systemCaenorhabditis elegansto investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-aging effects of chlorophyllin vivo. We found that chlorophyll significantly improves resistance to oxidative stress. It also enhances the lifespan ofC. elegansby up to 25% via activation of the DAF-16/FOXO-dependent pathway. The results indicate that chlorophyll is absorbed by the worms and is thus bioavailable, constituting an important prerequisite for antioxidant and longevity-promoting activities inside the body. Our study thereby supports the view that green vegetables may also be beneficial for humans.

scholarly journals Caenorhabditis elegans, a Model Organism for Investigating Immunity

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 2075-2081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth K. Marsh ◽  
Robin C. May
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Microsporidian Parasite ◽  
Content Type ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Pathogen Virulence ◽  
The Past ◽  
Animal Hosts

ABSTRACTThe nematodeCaenorhabditis eleganshas been a powerful experimental organism for almost half a century. Over the past 10 years, researchers have begun to exploit the power ofC. elegansto investigate the biology of a number of human pathogens. This work has uncovered mechanisms of host immunity and pathogen virulence that are analogous to those involved during pathogenesis in humans or other animal hosts, as well as novel immunity mechanisms which appear to be unique to the worm. More recently, these investigations have uncovered details of the natural pathogens ofC. elegans, including the description of a novel intracellular microsporidian parasite as well as new nodaviruses, the first identification of viral infections of this nematode. In this review, we consider the application ofC. elegansto human infectious disease research, as well as consider the nematode response to these natural pathogens.

scholarly journals Challenging Oneself Intermittently to Improve Health

Dose-Response ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. dose-response.1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark P. Mattson
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Physical Exertion ◽  
Intermittent Fasting ◽  
Molecular Signaling ◽  
Environmental Challenges ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
The Past ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Improve Health

Humans and their predecessors evolved in environments where they were challenged intermittently with: 1) food scarcity; 2) the need for aerobic fitness to catch/kill prey and avoid or repel attackers; and 3) exposure to biological toxins present in foodstuffs. Accordingly, cells and organ systems acquired and retained molecular signaling and metabolic pathways through which the environmental challenges enhanced the functionality and resilience of the cells and organisms. Within the past 60 years there has been a precipitous diminution of such challenges in modern societies because of the development of technologies that provide a continuous supply of energy-dense processed foods and that largely eliminate the need for physical exertion. As a consequence of the modern ‘couch potato’ lifestyle, signaling pathways that mediate beneficial effects of environmental challenges on health and disease resistance are disengaged, thereby rendering people vulnerable to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Reversal of the epidemic of diseases caused by unchallenging lifestyles will require a society-wide effort to re-introduce intermittent fasting, exercise and consumption of plants containing hormetic phytochemicals into daily and weekly routines.

scholarly journals Genetic Variation in Caenorhabditis elegans Responses to Pathogenic Microbiota

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 618
Author(s):  
Yuqing Huang ◽  
Jan E. Kammenga
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Complex Traits ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Nematode Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
The Past ◽  
Quantitative Genetic ◽  
Opening Up ◽  
Insight Into

The bacterivorous nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an important model species for understanding genetic variation of complex traits. So far, most studies involve axenic laboratory settings using Escherichia coli as the sole bacterial species. Over the past decade, however, investigations into the genetic variation of responses to pathogenic microbiota have increasingly received attention. Quantitative genetic analyses have revealed detailed insight into loci, genetic variants, and pathways in C. elegans underlying interactions with bacteria, microsporidia, and viruses. As various quantitative genetic platforms and resources like C. elegans Natural Diversity Resource (CeNDR) and Worm Quantitative Trait Loci (WormQTL) have been developed, we anticipate that expanding C. elegans research along the lines of genetic variation will be a treasure trove for opening up new insights into genetic pathways and gene functionality of microbiota interactions.

scholarly journals Crotamiton derivative JM03 extends lifespan and improves oxidative and hypertonic stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans via inhibiting OSM-9

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keting Bao ◽  
Jiali Feng ◽  
Wenwen Liu ◽  
Zhifan Mao ◽  
Tianyue Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Stress Resistance ◽  
Lifespan Extension ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Hypertonic Stress ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Promising Application ◽  
Application Prospects

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.

scholarly journals An extract of Rosaceae, Solanaceae and Zingiberaceae increases health span and mobility in Caenorhabditis elegans

BMC Nutrition ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Hughes ◽  
Nikki Kolsters ◽  
David van de Klashorst ◽  
Emanuel Kreuter ◽  
Karin Berger Büter
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Mitochondrial Morphology ◽  
Lifespan Extension ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Total Phenols ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Health Span ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Health Promoting

Abstract Background Members of the Rosaceae, Solanaceae and Zingiberaceae families which include fruits such as cherries, tomatoes and ginger are known to have health promoting effects. There is growing interest in consuming these “functional foods” as a means to increase health and healthy ageing. However, many studies explore the effect of these foods in isolation, not as a blend of multiple functional foods. Methods In this study, an extract containing the dried berries, fruits, and roots of members of these families was prepared, which we called Bioact®180. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used to evaluate the effects of Bioact®180 on lifespan and health endpoints, including muscle and mitochondria structure and locomotion. Results Exposure to the 1000 µg/mL of Bioact®180 extract, containing 4% total phenols, were healthier, as observed by an increase in mean lifespan with and small but significant increase in maximal lifespan. Nematodes exposed to Bioact®180 displayed better mobility in mid-life stages as well as enhanced mitochondrial morphology, which was more comparable to younger animals, suggesting that these worms are protected to some degree from sarcopenia. Conclusions Together, our findings reveal that Bioact®180, a blend of fruits and roots from Rosaceae, Solanaceae and Zingiberaceae family members has anti-aging effects. Bioact®180 promotes health and lifespan extension in C. elegans, corresponding to functional improvements in mobility.

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

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1404
Author(s):  
Yuxuan Peng ◽  
Shen Dai ◽  
Yan Lu ◽  
Ligui Xiong ◽  
Jianan Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Green Tea ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Active Components ◽  
Epicatechin Gallate ◽  
Critical Determinant ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Excess Production ◽  
Locomotor Ability

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.

The glycomes of Caenorhabditis elegans and other model organisms

2002 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 117-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart M. Haslam ◽  
David Gems ◽  
Howard R. Morris ◽  
Anne Dell
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Entire Genome ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
The Face ◽  
Area Of Concern ◽  
Nematode Worm

There is no doubt that the immense amount of information that is being generated by the initial sequencing and secondary interrogation of various genomes will change the face of glycobiological research. However, a major area of concern is that detailed structural knowledge of the ultimate products of genes that are identified as being involved in glycoconjugate biosynthesis is still limited. This is illustrated clearly by the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans, which was the first multicellular organism to have its entire genome sequenced. To date, only limited structural data on the glycosylated molecules of this organism have been reported. Our laboratory is addressing this problem by performing detailed MS structural characterization of the N-linked glycans of C. elegans; high-mannose structures dominate, with only minor amounts of complex-type structures. Novel, highly fucosylated truncated structures are also present which are difucosylated on the proximal N-acetylglucosamine of the chitobiose core as well as containing unusual Fucα1–2Gal1–2Man as peripheral structures. The implications of these results in terms of the identification of ligands for genomically predicted lectins and potential glycosyltransferases are discussed in this chapter. Current knowledge on the glycomes of other model organisms such as Dictyostelium discoideum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Drosophila melanogaster is also discussed briefly.

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