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Lifespan extension in Caenorhabiditis elegans by several traditional Chinese medicine formulas

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Abstract

There is considerable interest in using traditional Chinese medicine formulas (TCMF) to delay aging or treat age-related diseases. Due to cost and duration, the beneficial effects of TCMF on prolongation are mainly extrapolated from vitro studies or physiological indexes. Little is known about whether TCMF are beneficial in whole level, particularly with respect to lifespan. To address this issue, we selected eight formulas with anti-oxidative activity and examined their effects on the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans. The results showed that seven of the eight formulas could prolong lifespan of TK22 mutant significantly and five of the eight formulas could obviously extend lifespan of N2 wild-type. To further characterize the prolongation effects, oxidative stress, thermal stress and reproduction test were assayed. We found that the formulas that extended lifespan of TK22 could also protect it from oxidative stress, without reducing the reproductive capacity. Meanwhile, the formulas that prolonged lifespan of N2 wild-type could also enhance its resistance against thermal stress, with damaging the reproductive fitness. These observations indicate that TCMF used in our experiment could be potential therapeutics for anti-aging.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the special international cooperation project of MOST (2012DFA30480); the key project of Gansu Province science and technology (1002WKDE55); Gansu Province International Science and Technology Cooperation Project (090WCGA900); the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (lzujbky-2013-71, lzujbky-2013-75, lzujbky-2014-147, lzujbky-2014-149, and lzujbky-2014-150).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, No. 99 Donggang West Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, China

    Fengqi Wan, Dejuan Zhi, Aimaier AbuLizi, Weishuang Ju & Hongyu Li

  2. School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, No. 222 Tianshui Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, China

    Dongling Liu, Jun Xian & Menghui Li

  3. Institute of Pediatrics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, No. 82 Cuiyingmen, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, China

    Fengqi Wan

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  1. Fengqi Wan
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  2. Dejuan Zhi
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  3. Dongling Liu
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  4. Jun Xian
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  5. Menghui Li
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Correspondence to Hongyu Li.

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Wan, F., Zhi, D., Liu, D. et al. Lifespan extension in Caenorhabiditis elegans by several traditional Chinese medicine formulas. Biogerontology 15, 377–387 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-014-9508-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-014-9508-1

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