DAF‐16 is involved in colonic metabolites of ferulic acid‐promoted longevity and stress resistance of Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

BACKGROUND Ferulic acid (FA) is a dietary polyphenol widely found in plant tissues. It has long been considered to have health‐promoting qualities. However, the biological properties of dietary polyphenols depend largely on their absorption during digestion, and the effects of their intestinal metabolites on human health have attracted the interest of researchers. This study evaluated the effects of three main colonic metabolites of FA – 3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (3,4diOHPPA), 3‐(3‐hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (3OHPPA) and 3‐phenylpropionic acid (3PPA) – on longevity and stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans. RESULTS Our results showed that 3,4diOHPPA, 3OHPPA and 3PPA extended the lifespan under normal conditions in C. elegans whereas FA did not. High doses of 3,4diOHPPA (0.5 mmol L−1), 3OHPPA (2.5 mmol L−1) and 3PPA (2.5 mmol L−1) prolonged the mean lifespan by 11.2%, 13.0% and 10.6%, respectively. Moreover, 3,4diOHPPA, 3OHPPA and 3PPA treatments promoted stress tolerance against heat, UV irradiation and paraquat. Furthermore, three metabolites ameliorated physical functions, including reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels, motility and pharyngeal pumping rate. The anti‐aging activities mediated by 3,4diOHPPA, 3OHPPA and 3PPA depend on the HSF‐1 and JNK‐1 linked insulin/IGF‐1 signaling pathway, which converge onto DAF‐16. CONCLUSION The current findings suggest that colonic metabolites of FA have the potential for use as anti‐aging bioactivate compounds. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.