Rehmannia glutinosa exhibits anti‐aging effect through maintaining the quiescence and decreasing the senescence of hematopoietic stem cells

Abstract

Background The time‐related decline in regenerative capacity and organ homeostasis is a major feature of aging. Rehmannia glutinosa and Astragalus membranaceus have been used as traditional Chinese herbal medicines for enhanced immunity and prolonged life. However, the mechanism by which this herbal medicine slows aging is unknown. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of the herbal anti‐aging effect. Methods Mice were fed diets supplemented with R. glutinosa or A. membranaceus for 10 months; the control group was fed a standard diet. The phenotypes were evaluated using a grading score system and survival analysis. The percentages of the senescence phenotypes of hematopoietic stem cells ( HSC s) were determined by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analysis. The function and the mechanism of HSC s were analyzed by clonogenic assay and the real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Results The anti‐aging effect of R. glutinosa is due to the enhanced function of HSC s. Mice fed with R. glutinosa displayed characteristics of a slowed aging process, including decreased senescence and increased rate of survival. Flow cytometry analysis showed decreased numbers of Lin – Sca1 + c‐kit – ( LSK ) cells, long‐term HSC s ( LT ‐ HSC s) and short‐term HSC s ( ST ‐ HSC s) in the R. glutinosa group. In vitro, clonogenic assays showed increased self‐renewal ability of LT ‐ HSC s from the R. glutinosa group as well as maintaining LSK quiescence through upregulated p18 expression. The R. glutinosa group also showed decreased reactive oxygen species levels and the percentage of β‐gal + cells through downregulation of the cellular senescence‐associated protein p53 and p16. Conclusion Rehmannia glutinosa exerts anti‐aging effects by maintaining the quiescence and decreasing the senescence of HSC s.

Knock in of a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene induces ALS in rats

“…All antibodies were obtained from eBiosciences (San Diego, CA, USA). Flow cytometry analysis of lymphocytes from peripheral blood was performed as previously reported 31 on a FACS Aria II (BD Biosciences). Data were analyzed by FlowJo software.…”

<i>Rehmannia</i> Root Improves Extracellular Matrix Production and Epidermal Differentiation by Upregulation of the Estrogen Receptor

“…In addition, ER decreases SASP factors such as IL-6 by binding with estrogen, and the increased ERα and decreased ERβ promote cell cycle progression through cyclin D activation [18] [19] [20] [26] [27]. Rehmannia root mitigates cell aging by decreasing p53 and p16 INK4a levels in senescent cells [28], possibly because these components reduce SASP factors, such as IL-6, by regulating the balance between ERα and ERβ. From these facts, it was hypothesized that Rehmannia root could ameliorate the damage caused by aging and photoaging.…”

Liangyi Gao extends lifespan and exerts an antiaging effect in Caenorhabditis elegans by modulating DAF-16/FOXO

“…Ginseng combined with Rehmannia glutinosa is a classic Chinese herbal prescription that has invigorates Qi and nourishes blood; this prescription is now commonly used to treat weakness or chronic debilitating diseases. Both Ginseng and Rehmannia glutinosa have been demonstrated to have antiaging effects in previous studies (Yang et al 2017; Bai et al 2018). In addition, ginsenoside Rg1, an active ingredient in Ginseng , has effects that include antiaging as well as improving immunity (Cheng et al 2005; Zhou et al 2011; Chen et al 2014; Tang et al 2015; Zhou et al 2015); additionally, catalpol, an active ingredient in Rehmannia glutinosa , also exhibits antiaging effects (Zhang et al 2013; Seo et al 2015).…”