DAF-16 and SKN-1 mediate Anti-aging and Neuroprotective efficacies of “thai ginseng” Kaempferia parviflora Rhizome extract in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The rhizomes of Kaempferia parviflora (KP), have been traditionally used for treating various ailments with 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (DMF) as a prominent compound. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-aging and neuroprotective properties of KP and DMF in Caenorhabditis elegans. METHODS: C. elegans (wild-type (N2), transgenic and mutant strains) were treated with KP and DMF and were monitored for lifespan and neuroprotection through physiological assays, fluorescence microscopy and qPCR analysis. Molecular docking studies were employed to identify the interaction mode of DMF with DAF-16 and SKN-1. RESULTS: KP and DMF significantly increased the lifespan of N2 along with modulating pharyngeal pumping and lipofuscin accumulation. They also exhibited neuroprotection in Aβ transgenic strains by improving lifespan and delaying paralysis. Further, they reduced ROS accumulation significantly in worms exposed to UV-A, thereby exhibiting anti-photoaging potential. KP and DMF could activate SKN-1, DAF-16 which was evident from molecular docking and qPCR analysis. The DAF-2 and DAF-16 mutants did not exhibit any variations in lifespan upon treatment with KP and DMF suggesting the involvement of the DAF-16 mediated pathway in regulating the anti-aging and neuroprotective effects. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that KP with DMF as an active ingredient is a potential nutraceutical for aging and associated disorders.

Hylocereus undatus extends lifespan and exerts neuroprotection in Caenorhabditis elegans via DAF-16 mediated pathway

“…2) suggesting the possible role of the plant as an anti-aging agent. Previous reports of plant extracts including Cleistocalyx nervosum [22,23], Bacopa monnieri [24], Streblus asper [25], Hibiscus sabdariffa [26], and Kaempferia parviflora [27,28] in C. elegans showed extension of lifespan and reduction of lipofuscin accumulation indicating its anti-aging potential.…”

“…After 24 h of temperature shift, paralyzed nematodes were monitored every hour. The worms that only moved their head or did not show a full-body wave when gently touched with a platinum loop were noted as paralyzed [28,32].…”

“…The conserved mechanisms present in C. elegans, including insulin and TGF-␤ signaling, nutrient sensing, and autophagy have provided significant clues about universal mechanisms of longevity [21]. The smallest eukaryotic in vivo model has been employed to understand the anti-aging and neuroprotective properties of different plants including Cleistocalyx nervosum [22,23], Bacopa monnieri [24], Streblus asper [25], Hibiscus sabdariffa [26], and Kaempferia parviflora [27,28].…”

Auricularia polytricha extract exerts SKN-1 and DAF-16 mediated longevity and stress resistance against UV-B exposure in Caenorhabditis elegans

“…elegans (wild type or mutants: 10 numbers), UV exposed or unexposed worms treated with different concentrations of APE (30,40, and 50 g/ml) or LA (60,70, and 80 M) were transferred into a 24-well plate containing M9 buffer. The live nematodes were counted every 24 h. and calculated for their percentage survival, as explained previously [23].…”

“…Total RNA was isolated using GENEzol TM reagent using the protocol as prescribed by the manufacturer and further converted to cDNA from the experimental groups based on the manufacturer's protocol. qPCR analysis was carried out using SYBR Green, RealMOD TM Green W 2 2xqPCR mix (iNtRon Biotechnology Inc., Korea), in the CFX connect Real-Time Detection system (Bio-Rad) with the help of gene-specific primers as explained previously [23].…”