Longevity effect of a polysaccharide from Chlorophytum borivilianum on Caenorhabditis elegans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2017-2018

This review is the tenth update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI) mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2018. Also included are papers that describe methods appropriate to glycan and glycoprotein analysis by MALDI, such as sample preparation techniques, even though the ionization method is not MALDI. Topics covered in the first part of the review include general aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, new methods, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, fragmentation and the use of arrays. The second part of the review is devoted to applications to various structural types such as oligo- and poly-saccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides, and biopharmaceuticals. Most of the applications are presented in tabular form. The third part of the review covers medical and industrial applications of the technique, studies of enzyme reactions, and applications to chemical synthesis. The reported work shows increasing use of combined new techniques such as ion mobility and highlights the impact that MALDI imaging is having across a range of diciplines. MALDI is still an ideal technique for carbohydrate analysis and advancements in the technique and the range of applications continue steady progress.

Relevance of bioassay of biologically active substances (BAS) with geroprotective properties in the model of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans in experiments in vivo

Aging is a process global in nature. The age of living organisms contributes to the appearance of chronic diseases, which not only reduce the quality of life, but also significantly damage it. Modern medicines can successfully fight multiple diseases and prolong life. At the same time, medications have a large number of side effects. New research indicates that bioactive phytochemicals have great potential for treating even the most severe diseases and can become an alternative to medicines. Despite many studies in this area, the effects of many plant ingredients on living organisms are poorly understood. Analysis of the mechanisms through which herbal preparations influence the aging process helps to select the right active substances, determine the optimal doses to obtain the maximum positive effect. It is preferable to check the effectiveness of plant extracts and biologically active components with geroprotective properties in vivo. For these purposes, live model systems such as Rattus rattus, Mus musculus, Drosophila melanogaster, and Caenorhabditis elegans are used. These models help to comprehensively study the impact of the developed new drugs on the aging process. The model organism C. elegans is gaining increasing popularity in these studies because of its many advantages. This review article discusses the advantages of the nematode C. elegans as a model organism for studying the processes associated with aging. The influence of various BAS and plant extracts on the increase in the life span of the nematode, on the increase in its stress resistance and on other markers of aging is also considered. The review showed that the nematode C. elegans has a number of advantages over other organisms and is a promising model system for studying the geroprotective properties of BAS.

Sulfated Polysaccharide Isolated from the Nacre of Pearl Oyster Improves Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment

Pearl and nacre have been used in traditional medicines for treating brain dysfunctions, such as epilepsy, myopia, palpitations and convulsions. We previously showed that a pearl oyster nacre extract improves scopolamine-induced memory impairments using the Y-maze, Banes maze and object recognition tests. In this study, we aimed to isolate the memory-improving substance using ion-exchange column chromatography and reverse-phase column chromatography and elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying its memory-improving activity. The isolated substance was found to be a sulfated polysaccharide with a molecular weight of approximately 750 kDa. Monosaccharide composition analysis showed that it was rich in galactose, glucose, mannose and uronic acid. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of oxidative stress, inflammatory response and neuroprotective factors in the cerebral cortex were investigated. Treatment with the polysaccharide increased the expression levels of the antioxidant enzymes Cu, Zn -superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase and attenuated the scopolamine-mediated upregulation of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 and interleukin-6. In addition, the polysaccharide suppressed the decrease in the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). These findings strongly suggest that the polysaccharide in the nacre extract mediated its antiamnesic effects by preventing oxidative stress and inflammation and increasing the expression levels of BDNF and NGF.

Astaxanthin protects oxidative stress mediated DNA damage and enhances longevity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have long been found to play an important role in oxidative mediated DNA damage. Fortunately, cells possess an antioxidant system that can neutralize ROS. However, oxidative stress occurs when antioxidants are overwhelmed by ROS or impaired antioxidant pathways. This study was carried out to find the protective effect of astaxanthin on the yeast DNA repair-deficient mutant cells under hydrogen peroxide stress. The results showed that astaxanthin enhances the percent cell growth of rad1∆, rad51∆, apn1∆, apn2∆ and ogg1∆ cells. Further, the spot test and colony-forming unit count results confirmed that astaxanthin protects DNA repair mutant cells from oxidative stress. The DNA binding property of astaxanthin studied by in silico and in vitro methods indicated that astaxanthin binds to the DNA in the major and minor groove, and that might protect DNA against oxidative stress induced by Fenton's reagent. The intracellular ROS, 8-OHdG level and the DNA fragmentation as measured by comet tail was reduced by astaxanthin under oxidative stress. Similarly, reduced nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation results suggest that astaxanthin might reduce apoptosis. Finally, we show that astaxanthin decreases the accumulation of mutation rate and enhances the longevity of DNA repair-deficient mutants' cells during a chronological lifespan.

Plant and fungal products that extend lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a useful model to study aging due to its short lifespan, ease of manipulation, and available genetic tools. Several molecules and extracts derived from plants and fungi extend the lifespan of C. elegans by modulating aging-related pathways that are conserved in more complex organisms. Modulation of aging pathways leads to activation of autophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis and expression of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes in a manner similar to caloric restriction. Low and moderate concentrations of plant and fungal molecules usually extend lifespan, while high concentrations are detrimental, consistent with a lifespan-modulating mechanism involving hormesis. We review here molecules and extracts derived from plants and fungi that extend the lifespan of C. elegans, and explore the possibility that these natural substances may produce health benefits in humans.