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Protocatechuic acid extends lifespan and increases stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans

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Abstract

Veronica peregrina has a wide range of types of constituents with various pharmacological properties. Here in this study, we isolated protocatechuic acid (PCA) from V. peregrina and examined PCAs effects on the lifespan and stress tolerance using Caenorhabditis elegans model system. We found that lifespan of wild-type worms was significantly lengthened in the presence of PCA in a dose dependent manner. PCA also elevated tolerance of worms against osmotic, heat shock, and oxidative stress. We also demonstrated antioxidant capacity of PCA by checking intracellular reactive oxygen species level and antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase and superoxide dismutase. We further investigated several factors including pharyngeal pumping rate and progeny production that might influence prolonged lifespan and enhanced stress tolerance by PCA. Interestingly, both factors were significantly reduced after PCA exposure, indicating PCA exerts longevity activity by shifting food intake and reproduction at least in part. In addition, PCA-treated aged worms showed increased body movement compared to untreated controls suggesting PCA could enhance healthspan as well as lifespan.

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Acknowledgments

Following are results of a study on the “Leades INdustry-university Cooperation of Woosuk University” Project, supported by the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology (MEST).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Pharmacy, Woosuk University, Jeonbuk, 565-701, Republic of Korea

    Yong Seong Kim, Hyun Won Seo, Dae Keun Kim, Hoon Jeon & Dong Seok Cha

  2. Department of Oncology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA

    Myon-Hee Lee

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  1. Yong Seong Kim
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Correspondence to Dong Seok Cha.

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Kim, Y.S., Seo, H.W., Lee, MH. et al. Protocatechuic acid extends lifespan and increases stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans . Arch. Pharm. Res. 37, 245–252 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-013-0183-6

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