Nutr Res Pract.  2014 Oct;8(5):526-532. 10.4162/nrp.2014.8.5.526.

Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem confers increased resistance to environmental stresses and lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans

• Park JK
• Kim CK
• Gong SK
• Yu AR
• Lee MY
• Park SK

• KMID: 2313774
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2014.8.5.526

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Acanthopanax sessiliflorus is a native Korean plant and used as traditional medicine or an ingredient in many Korean foods. The free radical theory of aging suggests that cellular oxidative stress caused by free radicals is the main cause of aging. Free radicals can be removed by cellular anti-oxidants.
MATERIALS/METHODS
Here, we examined the anti-oxidant activity of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract both in vitro and in vivo. Survival of nematode C. elegans under stress conditions was also compared between control and Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract-treated groups. Then, anti-aging effect of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract was monitored in C. elegans.
RESULTS
Stem extract significantly reduced oxidative DNA damage in lymphocyte, which was not observed by leaves or root extract. Survival of C. elegans under oxidative-stress conditions was significantly enhanced by Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem extract. In addition, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem increased resistance to other environmental stresses, including heat shock and ultraviolet irradiation. Treatment with Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem extract significantly extended both mean and maximum lifespan in C. elegans. However, fertility was not affected by Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem.
CONCLUSION
Different parts of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus have different bioactivities and stem extract have strong anti-oxidant activity in both rat lymphocytes and C. elegans, and conferred a longevity phenotype without reduced reproduction in C. elegans, which provides conclusive evidence to support the free radical theory of aging.

Keyword

Acanthopanax sessiliflorus; Caenorhabditis elegans; lifespan; stress response; fertility

MeSH Terms

Eleutherococcus*
Aging
Animals
Caenorhabditis elegans*
DNA Damage
Fertility
Free Radicals
Hot Temperature
Longevity
Lymphocytes
Medicine, Traditional
Oxidative Stress
Phenotype
Plants
Rats
Reproduction
Shock
Free Radicals