Butiá fruit extract (Butia eriospatha) protects against oxidative damage and increases lifespan onCaenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

Butiá (Butia eriospatha) is a fruit of a palm tree belonging to the family Arecaceae, native to South America. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of butiá extract using Caenorhabditis elegans as animal model. Initially, we performed survival experiments, reproduction, resistance to oxidative stress (post or pre‐treatment with paraquat or hydrogen peroxide), longevity, superoxide dismutase, and catalase GFP reporters' expression. We observed that butiá extract did not affect the worms' survival. Similarly, egg laying also showed no significant difference between treatments. None of the extract concentrations tested was able to significantly protect or reverse paraquat‐induced oxidative stress. However, they were able to reverse the oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide. In addition, butiá extract increased C. elegans lifespan under stress and not per se. Our results demonstrate that the Butiá is able to extend the lifespan of the nematode C. elegans and that this effect may be mediated by an induced resistance to oxidative stress. Practical applications The practical applications of this research are to expand and bring scientific knowledge to the population about the benefits of the consumption of this native fruit from the southern region of Brazil. Many fruits and other plant foods are consumed and spread with benefits without proper scientific proof of these benefits. This fruit is widely cultivated and its production and consumption can be expanded from these results. Still, we point out that this is the first time that the benefits of this fruit are studied.

Simira cordifolia protects against metal induced-toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans

“…This work showed that HAE-Sc can extend lifespan of C. elegans, as also has been observed for a number of plant extracts with anti-oxidative properties, such as those from blueberries (Wang et al, 2018), ginseng (Wang et al, 2021), Caesalpinia mimosoides (Rangsinth et al, 2019), and Butiá (Butia eriospatha) (Tambara et al, 2020), among other plants. This process has been proposed to be mediated by aging-related pathways that control activation of autophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis and the antioxidant machinery, among other mechanisms (Aman et al, 2021).…”

Phenotypic and molecular basis for genetic variation in jelly palms (Butia sp.): where are we now and where are we headed to?

“…The antioxidant potential in B. eriospatha was tested using the Caenorhabditis elegans animal model. Tambara et al (2020) observed that extracts of Butia palm were able to prolong nematode (C. elegans) life cycle by protecting and reversing hydrogen peroxideinduced oxidative damage. B. capitata species, on the other hand, demonstrated functionality as an inhibitor of colorectal cancer cells (HT-29) in an in vitro antitumor activity analysis (Lahlou et al, 2022).…”

Anti-Aging and Neurorescue Effects of Loquat in Caenorhabditis elegans and Electrochemical Quantification of Dopamine Neurotransmitter

“…Additionally, it has been widely used for aging research and has conserved molecular and cellular pathways, which influence the longevity and stress tolerance. , According to previous reports, supplementation with fruit extracts, such as blueberries, raspberries, tart cherries, oranges, pomegranates, butia, apples, Zalema grape pomace, anthocyanin extract of acai, and mulberries, significantly delays aging in C. elegans by promoting the longevity, enhancing healthspan, and conferring stress resistance through various molecular pathways. − In this current research, we extensively investigated the antiaging and anti-Parkinson’s effects of loquat fruit using C. elegans.…”