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Kirchweger B, Zwirchmayr J, Grienke U, Rollinger JM. The role of Caenorhabditis elegans in the discovery of natural products for healthy aging. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:1849-1873. [PMID: 37585263 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00021d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Covering: 2012 to 2023The human population is aging. Thus, the greatest risk factor for numerous diseases, such as diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, is increasing worldwide. Age-related diseases do not typically occur in isolation, but as a result of multi-factorial causes, which in turn require holistic approaches to identify and decipher the mode of action of potential remedies. With the advent of C. elegans as the primary model organism for aging, researchers now have a powerful in vivo tool for identifying and studying agents that effect lifespan and health span. Natural products have been focal research subjects in this respect. This review article covers key developments of the last decade (2012-2023) that have led to the discovery of natural products with healthy aging properties in C. elegans. We (i) discuss the state of knowledge on the effects of natural products on worm aging including methods, assays and involved pathways; (ii) analyze the literature on natural compounds in terms of their molecular properties and the translatability of effects on mammals; (iii) examine the literature on multi-component mixtures with special attention to the studied organisms, extraction methods and efforts regarding the characterization of their chemical composition and their bioactive components. (iv) We further propose to combine small in vivo model organisms such as C. elegans and sophisticated analytical approaches ("wormomics") to guide the way to dissect complex natural products with anti-aging properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Kirchweger
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Julia Zwirchmayr
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ulrike Grienke
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Judith M Rollinger
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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An H, Thanh LN, Khanh LQ, Ryu SH, Lee S, Yeon SW, Lee HH, Turk A, Lee KY, Hwang BY, Lee MK. Characterization of Antioxidant and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Compounds of Cratoxylum formosum ssp. pruniflorum and Optimization of Extraction Condition. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12020511. [PMID: 36830069 PMCID: PMC9952466 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12020511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cratoxylum formosum ssp. pruniflorum (Kurz.) Gogel (Guttiferae), called kuding tea, is widely distributed in Southeast Asia. In this study, the constituents and biological activity of C. formosum ssp. pruniflorum were investigated. Extract of its leaves, roots and stems showed antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Interestingly, comparison of the metabolite profiles of leaves, roots and stems of C. formosum ssp. pruniflorum by LC-MS analysis showed a great difference between the roots and leaves, whereas the roots and stems were quite similar. Purification of the roots and leaves of C. formosum ssp. pruniflorum through various chromatographic techniques resulted in the isolation of 25 compounds. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis as 18 xanthones, 5 flavonoids, a benzophenone and a phenolic compound. Among them, a xanthone (16) and a benzophenone (19) were first reported from nature. Evaluation of biological activity revealed that xanthones had a potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, while flavonoids were responsible for the antioxidant activity. To maximize the biological activity, yield and total phenolic content of C. formosum ssp. pruniflorum, extraction conditions such as extraction solvent, time and temperature were optimized using response surface methodology with Box-Behnken Design (BBD). Regression analysis showed a good fit of the experimental data, and the optimal condition was obtained as MeOH concentration in EtOAc, 88.1%; extraction time, 6.02 h; and extraction temperature 60.0 °C. α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity, yield and total phenolic content under the optimal condition were found to be 72.2% inhibition, 10.3% and 163.9 mg GAE/g extract, respectively. These results provide useful information about C. formosum ssp. pruniflorum as functional foods for oxidative stress-related metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heewon An
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Le Nguyen Thanh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry Technology, Institute of Marine Biochemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science & Technology (VAST), Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, VAST, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
| | - Le Quoc Khanh
- Hatinh Pharmaceutical Company (HADIPHAR), Ha Tinh 45000, Vietnam
| | - Se Hwan Ryu
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Solip Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Won Yeon
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Hak Hyun Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Ayman Turk
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Yong Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong 47236, Republic of Korea
| | - Bang Yeon Hwang
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Kyeong Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-43-261-2818
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Navarro-Hortal MD, Romero-Márquez JM, Osta S, Jiménez-Trigo V, Muñoz-Ollero P, Varela-López A. Natural Bioactive Products and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology: Lessons from Caenorhabditis elegans Transgenic Models. Diseases 2022; 10:diseases10020028. [PMID: 35645249 PMCID: PMC9149938 DOI: 10.3390/diseases10020028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-dependent, progressive disorder affecting millions of people. Currently, the therapeutics for AD only treat the symptoms. Although they have been used to discover new products of interest for this disease, mammalian models used to investigate the molecular determinants of this disease are often prohibitively expensive, time-consuming and very complex. On the other hand, cell cultures lack the organism complexity involved in AD. Given the highly conserved neurological pathways between mammals and invertebrates, Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as a powerful tool for the investigation of the pathophysiology of human AD. Numerous models of both Tau- and Aβ-induced toxicity, the two prime components observed to correlate with AD pathology and the ease of performing RNA interference for any gene in the C. elegans genome, allow for the identification of multiple therapeutic targets. The effects of many natural products in main AD hallmarks using these models suggest promising health-promoting effects. However, the way in which they exert such effects is not entirely clear. One of the reasons is that various possible therapeutic targets have not been evaluated in many studies. The present review aims to explore shared therapeutical targets and the potential of each of them for AD treatment or prevention.
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Navarro-Hortal MD, Romero-Márquez JM, Muñoz-Ollero P, Jiménez-Trigo V, Esteban-Muñoz A, Tutusaus K, Giampieri F, Battino M, Sánchez-González C, Rivas-García L, Llopis J, Forbes-Hernández TY, Quiles JL. Amyloid β-but not Tau-induced neurotoxicity is suppressed by Manuka honey via HSP-16.2 and SKN-1/Nrf2 pathways in an in vivo model of Alzheimer's disease. Food Funct 2022; 13:11185-11199. [DOI: 10.1039/d2fo01739c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's is a chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system considered the leading cause of dementia in the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- María D. Navarro-Hortal
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
| | - Jose M. Romero-Márquez
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
| | - Pedro Muñoz-Ollero
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
| | - Victoria Jiménez-Trigo
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
| | | | - Kilian Tutusaus
- Research Group on Foods, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Isabel Torres, 21, 39011 Santander, Spain
- Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana, 24560 Campeche, Mexico
| | - Francesca Giampieri
- Research Group on Foods, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Isabel Torres, 21, 39011 Santander, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maurizio Battino
- Research Group on Foods, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Isabel Torres, 21, 39011 Santander, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, 60131, Italy
- International Joint Research Laboratory of Intelligent Agriculture and Agri-products Processing, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Cristina Sánchez-González
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
- Sport and Health Research Centre, University of Granada, C/.Menéndez Pelayo 32, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Rivas-García
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
- Sport and Health Research Centre, University of Granada, C/.Menéndez Pelayo 32, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Llopis
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
- Sport and Health Research Centre, University of Granada, C/.Menéndez Pelayo 32, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Tamara Y. Forbes-Hernández
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
| | - José L. Quiles
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix Verdú”, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain
- Research Group on Foods, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Isabel Torres, 21, 39011 Santander, Spain
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Chemopreventive Effect of Cratoxylum formosum (Jack) ssp. pruniflorum on Initial Stage Hepatocarcinogenesis in Rats. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26144235. [PMID: 34299510 PMCID: PMC8305054 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cratoxylum formosum ssp. pruniflorum (Kurz) Gogelein (CP) is an indigenous plant found mainly in southeast Asia. Several in vitro studies have confirmed its activity against hepatocellular carcinoma; however, in vivo studies of the effect of CP on liver cancer are needed. This study investigated the effect of CP on early-stage hepatocarcinogenesis in rat liver when using diethylnitrosamine (DEN) as a carcinogen. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect (a) upregulation of glutathione S-transferase placental (GST-P) positive foci, (b) the proliferating cell nuclear antigen PCNA, and (c) apoptotic cells in the liver as indicators of early-stage carcinogenesis. Immunohistochemical parameters were observed in rats given CP orally following DEN injection. Rats given DEN presented overexpression of GST-P positive foci, PCNA, and apoptotic cells, indicating the formation of cancerous tissues, and these effects were diminished by CP treatment. CP thus inhibited hepatocarcinogenic effects in an animal model. These results could help plan further in vivo studies and support the use of CP to prevent processes that promote the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma in humans.
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Zwirchmayr J, Kirchweger B, Lehner T, Tahir A, Pretsch D, Rollinger JM. A robust and miniaturized screening platform to study natural products affecting metabolism and survival in Caenorhabditis elegans. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12323. [PMID: 32704017 PMCID: PMC7378205 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69186-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study a robust, whole organism screening based on Caenorhabditis elegans is presented for the discovery of natural products (NP) with beneficial effects against obesity and age-related diseases. Several parameters of the elaborated workflow were optimized to be adapted for probing multicomponent mixtures combining knowledge from traditional medicine and NP chemistry by generating optimized small-scale extracts considering scarcity of the natural source, solubility issues, and potential assay interferences. The established miniaturized assay protocol allows for in vivo probing of small amounts of even complex samples (~ 1 mg) to test their ability to increase the nematodes' survival time and the suppression of fat accumulation assessed by Nile red staining as hall marks of "healthy aging". The workflow was applied on 24 herbal and fungal materials traditionally used against symptoms of the metabolic syndrome and revealed promising results for the extracts of Gardenia jasminoides fruits and the sclerotia from Inonotus obliquus. Tested at 100 µg/mL they were able to significantly reduce the Nile red fluorescence and extend the 50% survival rate (DT50) compared to the control groups. This phenotype-directed in vivo approach opens up new horizons for the selection of natural starting materials and the investigation of their active principles as fast drug discovery tool with predictive value for human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Zwirchmayr
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benjamin Kirchweger
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa Lehner
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ammar Tahir
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dagmar Pretsch
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith M Rollinger
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Son NT. A Mini-review of the Tropical Plant Cratoxylum fomosum ssp. pruniflorum: Phytochemical and Pharmacological Aspects. LETT ORG CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1570178616666190902111630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The tropical plant C. formosum ssp. pruniflorum belongs to family Clusiaceae, which is
native to Southeast Asia countries. Phytochemical investigations on this plant showed interesting secondary
metabolites, comprising the main classes of xanthones, anthraquinones, flavonoids, phenolics,
and triterpenoids. Biological assessments established the wide spectrum of properties, either the extracts
or isolated compounds have been becoming valuable resources, constituents from C. formosum
ssp. pruniflorum were used for anti-bacteria, anti-inflammation, anti-cancer, or neuroprotective and
vascular protective activities. The long history of traditional application has confirmed the prospect in
use, this herbal plant was consumed as a combination tea or to treat skin wound healing, fever, cough,
ulcer, diarrhea, internal bleeding, stomachic and diuretic effects, and food poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninh The Son
- Institute of Natural Products Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Caugiay, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Chen M, Vial ML, Gee L, Davis RA, St John JA, Ekberg JAK. The plant natural product 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone stimulates therapeutic neural repair properties of olfactory ensheathing cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:951. [PMID: 31969642 PMCID: PMC6976649 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57793-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are crucial for promoting the regeneration of the primary olfactory nervous system that occurs throughout life. Transplantation of OECs has emerged as a promising therapy for nervous system injuries, in particular for spinal cord injury repair. Functional outcomes in both animals and humans are, however, highly variable, primarily because it is difficult to rapidly obtain enough OECs for transplantation. Compounds which can stimulate OEC proliferation without changing the phenotype of the cells are therefore highly sought after. Additionally, compounds which can stimulate favourable cell behaviours such as migration and phagocytic activity are desirable. We conducted a medium-throughput screen testing the Davis open access natural product-based library (472 compounds) and subsequently identified the known plant natural product 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone as a stimulant of OEC viability. We showed that 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone: (i) strongly stimulates proliferation over several weeks in culture whilst maintaining the OEC phenotype; (ii) stimulates the phagocytic activity of OECs, and (iii) modulates the cell cycle. We also identified the transcription factor Nrf2 as the compound’s potential molecular target. From these extensive investigations we conclude that 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone may enhance the therapeutic potential of OECs by stimulating proliferation prior to transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Chen
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, QLD, Australia.,Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.,Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia
| | - M L Vial
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, QLD, Australia.,Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.,Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia
| | - L Gee
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, QLD, Australia.,Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia
| | - R A Davis
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - J A St John
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, QLD, Australia.,Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.,Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia
| | - J A K Ekberg
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Nathan, 4111, QLD, Australia. .,Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia. .,Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia.
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Antiaging, Stress Resistance, and Neuroprotective Efficacies of Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala Fruit Extracts Using Caenorhabditis elegans Model. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:7024785. [PMID: 31871554 PMCID: PMC6906846 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7024785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Plant parts and their bioactive compounds are widely used by mankind for their health benefits. Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala is one berry fruit, native to Thailand, known to exhibit various health benefits in vitro. The present study was focused on analyzing the antiaging, stress resistance, and neuroprotective effects of C. nervosum in model system Caenorhabditis elegans using physiological assays, fluorescent imaging, and qPCR analysis. The results suggest that the fruit extract was able to significantly extend the median and maximum lifespan of the nematode. It could also extend the healthspan by reducing the accumulation of the “age pigment” lipofuscin, inside the nematode along with regulating the expression of col-19, egl-8, egl-30, dgk-1, and goa-1 genes. Further, the extracts upregulated the expression of daf-16 while downregulating the expression of daf-2 and age-1 in wild-type nematodes. Interestingly, it could extend the lifespan in DAF-16 mutants suggesting that the extension of lifespan and healthspan was dependent and independent of DAF-16-mediated pathway. The fruit extract was also observed to reduce the level of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) inside the nematode during oxidative stress. The qPCR analysis suggests the involvement of skn-1 and sir-2.1 in initiating stress resistance by activating the antioxidant mechanism. Additionally, the fruit could also elicit neuroprotection as it could extend the median and maximum lifespan of transgenic strain integrated with Aβ. SKN-1 could play a pivotal role in establishing the antiaging, stress resistance, and neuroprotective effect of C. nervosum. Overall, C. nervosum can be used as a nutraceutical in the food industry which could offer potential health benefits.
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Ma L, Zhao Y, Chen Y, Cheng B, Peng A, Huang K. Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system for target identification and drug screening against neurodegenerative diseases. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 819:169-180. [PMID: 29208474 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.11.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decades, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been widely used as a model system because of its small size, transparent body, short generation time and lifespan (~3 days and 3 weeks, respectively), completely sequenced genome and tractability to genetic manipulation. Protein misfolding and aggregation are key pathological features in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Animal models, including C. elegans, have been extensively used to discover and validate new drugs against neurodegenerative diseases. The well-defined and genetically tractable nervous system of C. elegans offers an effective model to explore basic mechanistic pathways of neurodegenerative diseases. Recent progress in high-throughput drug screening also provides a powerful approach for identifying chemical modulators of biological processes. Here, we summarize the latest progress of using C. elegans as a model system for target identification and drug screening in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Ma
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yudan Zhao
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yuchen Chen
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Biao Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430014, China
| | - Anlin Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Kun Huang
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Center for Biomedicine Research, Wuhan Institute of Biotechnology, Wuhan 430075, China.
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