<i>Momordica charantia</i> Extract Treatment Extends the Healthy Lifespan of Aging Mice via the Bitter Taste Receptor/mTOR Pathway

We live in a society where extending one’s healthy lifespan is becoming increasingly important. <i>Momordica charantia</i> (MC) extract contains many bioactive substances, such as vitamin D, phytosterols, glycosides, saponins, alkaloids, and triterpenes, and has various health-promoting...

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Main Authors: Keiichi Hiramoto, Hirotaka Oikawa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Journal of Ageing and Longevity
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9259/4/4/21
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author Keiichi Hiramoto
Hirotaka Oikawa
author_facet Keiichi Hiramoto
Hirotaka Oikawa
author_sort Keiichi Hiramoto
collection DOAJ
description We live in a society where extending one’s healthy lifespan is becoming increasingly important. <i>Momordica charantia</i> (MC) extract contains many bioactive substances, such as vitamin D, phytosterols, glycosides, saponins, alkaloids, and triterpenes, and has various health-promoting effects, but its effect on extending a healthy lifespan is unknown. This study investigated the effects of MC extract on a healthy lifespan, focusing on bitter taste receptors and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Male and female mice from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) were divided into control and MC-extract-treated groups, with the latter receiving oral doses of MC extract three times a week for two years. In aged male mice, MC extract increased the muscle mass and grip strength and prolonged the time to exhaustion. MC extract also enhanced the signaling from taste receptor type 2 member 1 (T2R1) to mTOR in muscle in both sexes, elevating the ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1 and ribosomal protein S6 levels. This T2R1/mTOR pathway works in protein synthesis and is important for increasing muscle mass. Conversely, the levels of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 decreased in both aged male and female mice after MC extract administration. These findings suggest that the administration of MC extract may extend the healthy lifespan of male mice, with bitter taste receptors and mTOR signaling playing key roles in this process.
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spelling doaj-art-0f8eb5a02eac4e1fb6f5f77f9567b8202025-08-20T02:55:53ZengMDPI AGJournal of Ageing and Longevity2673-92592024-09-014429030210.3390/jal4040021<i>Momordica charantia</i> Extract Treatment Extends the Healthy Lifespan of Aging Mice via the Bitter Taste Receptor/mTOR PathwayKeiichi Hiramoto0Hirotaka Oikawa1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Suzuka 513-8670, JapanDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Suzuka 513-8670, JapanWe live in a society where extending one’s healthy lifespan is becoming increasingly important. <i>Momordica charantia</i> (MC) extract contains many bioactive substances, such as vitamin D, phytosterols, glycosides, saponins, alkaloids, and triterpenes, and has various health-promoting effects, but its effect on extending a healthy lifespan is unknown. This study investigated the effects of MC extract on a healthy lifespan, focusing on bitter taste receptors and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Male and female mice from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) were divided into control and MC-extract-treated groups, with the latter receiving oral doses of MC extract three times a week for two years. In aged male mice, MC extract increased the muscle mass and grip strength and prolonged the time to exhaustion. MC extract also enhanced the signaling from taste receptor type 2 member 1 (T2R1) to mTOR in muscle in both sexes, elevating the ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1 and ribosomal protein S6 levels. This T2R1/mTOR pathway works in protein synthesis and is important for increasing muscle mass. Conversely, the levels of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 decreased in both aged male and female mice after MC extract administration. These findings suggest that the administration of MC extract may extend the healthy lifespan of male mice, with bitter taste receptors and mTOR signaling playing key roles in this process.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9259/4/4/21<i>Momordica charantia</i> extracttaste receptor type 2 member 1mammalian target of rapamycininositol trisphosphatesterol-regulatory element-binding protein
spellingShingle Keiichi Hiramoto
Hirotaka Oikawa
<i>Momordica charantia</i> Extract Treatment Extends the Healthy Lifespan of Aging Mice via the Bitter Taste Receptor/mTOR Pathway
Journal of Ageing and Longevity
<i>Momordica charantia</i> extract
taste receptor type 2 member 1
mammalian target of rapamycin
inositol trisphosphate
sterol-regulatory element-binding protein
title <i>Momordica charantia</i> Extract Treatment Extends the Healthy Lifespan of Aging Mice via the Bitter Taste Receptor/mTOR Pathway
title_full <i>Momordica charantia</i> Extract Treatment Extends the Healthy Lifespan of Aging Mice via the Bitter Taste Receptor/mTOR Pathway
title_fullStr <i>Momordica charantia</i> Extract Treatment Extends the Healthy Lifespan of Aging Mice via the Bitter Taste Receptor/mTOR Pathway
title_full_unstemmed <i>Momordica charantia</i> Extract Treatment Extends the Healthy Lifespan of Aging Mice via the Bitter Taste Receptor/mTOR Pathway
title_short <i>Momordica charantia</i> Extract Treatment Extends the Healthy Lifespan of Aging Mice via the Bitter Taste Receptor/mTOR Pathway
title_sort i momordica charantia i extract treatment extends the healthy lifespan of aging mice via the bitter taste receptor mtor pathway
topic <i>Momordica charantia</i> extract
taste receptor type 2 member 1
mammalian target of rapamycin
inositol trisphosphate
sterol-regulatory element-binding protein
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9259/4/4/21
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