Genistein from Vigna angularis Extends Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

The seed of Vigna angularis has long been cultivated as a food or a folk medicine in East Asia. Genistein (4′,5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone), a dietary phytoestrogen present in this plant, has been known to possess various biological properties. In this study, we investigated the possible lifespan-extending effects of genistein using Caenorhabditis elegans model system. We found that the lifespan of nematode was significantly prolonged in the presence of genistein under normal culture condition. In addition, genistein elevated the survival rate of nematode against stressful environment including heat and oxidative conditions. Further studies demonstrated that genistein-mediated increased stress tolerance of nematode could be attributed to enhanced expressions of stress resistance proteins such as superoxide dismutase (SOD-3) and heat shock protein (HSP-16.2). Moreover, we failed to find genistein-induced significant change in aging-related factors including reproduction, food intake, and growth, indicating genistein exerts longevity activity independent of affecting these factors. Genistein treatment also led to an up-regulation of locomotory ability of aged nematode, suggesting genistein affects healthspan as well as lifespan of nematode. Our results represent that genistein has beneficial effects on the lifespan of C. elegans under both of normal and stress condition via elevating expressions of stress resistance proteins.

Drug repurposing for aging research using model organisms

“…It remains unclear how similar their biological effect is, but Lee et al . () report genistein to significantly increase lifespan and stress tolerance of wild‐type C. elegans lifespan at 50 and 100 μ m concentrations.…”

Transcriptomics-based screening identifies pharmacological inhibition of Hsp90 as a means to defer aging

“…Compounds published to increase lifespan in either mice (m), flies (f), or worms (w) are indicated. The candidates include Valproic acid, an HDAC inhibitor previously shown to increase lifespan in worms (Evason et al, 2008), Trichostatin A, another HDAC inhibitor previously shown to increase lifespan in both worms (Calvert et al, 2016) and flies (Tao et al, 2004), LY-294002, a PI3 Kinase inhibitor, shown to increase lifespan in both worms (Calvert et al, 2016) and flies (Moskalev and Shaposhnikov, 2010), Estradiol, shown to increase lifespan in worms (Ye et al, 2014), Rapamycin, also known as sirolimus, well known to extend lifespan in worms (Calvert et al, 2016), flies (Bjedov et al, 2010), and mice (Harrison et al, 2009), Genistein, an angiogenesis inhibitor, shown to extend lifepan in worms (Lee et al, 2015), and Wortmannin, another PI3 Kinase inhibitor, shown to extend lifespan in flies (Danilov et al, 2013).…”

Targeting Protein Quality Control Mechanisms by Natural Products to Promote Healthy Ageing

“…Genistein (4′, 5, 7-trihydroxyisoflavone) is a natural polyphenol found in soy and other legumes, such as Vigna angularis, that reportedly extended the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans [ 88 , 89 ]. Skin anti-ageing effects have been accredited to this polyphenol, as it can bind to estrogen receptors, enhance collagen biosynthesis, act as an antioxidant and protect from UV-induced photodamage [ 88 ].…”