Berberine Extends Lifespan in <i>C. elegans</i> Through Multi-Target Synergistic Antioxidant Effects
Aging is a process of gradual functional decline in complex physiological systems and is closely related to the occurrence of various diseases. Berberine, a bioactive alkaloid derived from <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Coptis chinensis</i> (Huanglian), has emerged as a...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Antioxidants |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/4/450 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849712176205398016 |
|---|---|
| author | Yingshuo Bei Ting Wang Shuwen Guan |
| author_facet | Yingshuo Bei Ting Wang Shuwen Guan |
| author_sort | Yingshuo Bei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aging is a process of gradual functional decline in complex physiological systems and is closely related to the occurrence of various diseases. Berberine, a bioactive alkaloid derived from <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Coptis chinensis</i> (Huanglian), has emerged as a promising candidate for anti-aging interventions. This study comprehensively investigated the lifespan-extending effects and molecular mechanisms of berberine in <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">C. elegans</i> through integrated approaches including lifespan assays, locomotor activity analysis, oxidative stress challenges, and transcriptomic profiling. Furthermore, genetic models of mutant and transgenic worms were employed to delineate their interactions with the insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway. Our results demonstrate that berberine extended the mean lifespan of wild-type worms by 27%. By activating transcription factors such as DAF-16/FOXO, HSF-1, and SKN-1/NRF2, berberine upregulated antioxidant enzyme expression, reduced lipofuscin accumulation, and improved stress resistance. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant changes in lipid metabolism-related genes, particularly in pathways involving fatty acid synthesis, degradation, and sphingolipid metabolism. These findings establish that berberine exerts multi-target anti-aging effects through coordinated activation of stress-responsive pathways and metabolic optimization, providing mechanistic insights for developing natural product-based geroprotective strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2eace79eb5b04081be1d1e3ac459f2e4 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3921 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antioxidants |
| spelling | doaj-art-2eace79eb5b04081be1d1e3ac459f2e42025-08-20T03:14:21ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212025-04-0114445010.3390/antiox14040450Berberine Extends Lifespan in <i>C. elegans</i> Through Multi-Target Synergistic Antioxidant EffectsYingshuo Bei0Ting Wang1Shuwen Guan2School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, ChinaAging is a process of gradual functional decline in complex physiological systems and is closely related to the occurrence of various diseases. Berberine, a bioactive alkaloid derived from <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Coptis chinensis</i> (Huanglian), has emerged as a promising candidate for anti-aging interventions. This study comprehensively investigated the lifespan-extending effects and molecular mechanisms of berberine in <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">C. elegans</i> through integrated approaches including lifespan assays, locomotor activity analysis, oxidative stress challenges, and transcriptomic profiling. Furthermore, genetic models of mutant and transgenic worms were employed to delineate their interactions with the insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway. Our results demonstrate that berberine extended the mean lifespan of wild-type worms by 27%. By activating transcription factors such as DAF-16/FOXO, HSF-1, and SKN-1/NRF2, berberine upregulated antioxidant enzyme expression, reduced lipofuscin accumulation, and improved stress resistance. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant changes in lipid metabolism-related genes, particularly in pathways involving fatty acid synthesis, degradation, and sphingolipid metabolism. These findings establish that berberine exerts multi-target anti-aging effects through coordinated activation of stress-responsive pathways and metabolic optimization, providing mechanistic insights for developing natural product-based geroprotective strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/4/450anti-agingberberine<i>C. elegans</i>antioxidantinsulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways |
| spellingShingle | Yingshuo Bei Ting Wang Shuwen Guan Berberine Extends Lifespan in <i>C. elegans</i> Through Multi-Target Synergistic Antioxidant Effects Antioxidants anti-aging berberine <i>C. elegans</i> antioxidant insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways |
| title | Berberine Extends Lifespan in <i>C. elegans</i> Through Multi-Target Synergistic Antioxidant Effects |
| title_full | Berberine Extends Lifespan in <i>C. elegans</i> Through Multi-Target Synergistic Antioxidant Effects |
| title_fullStr | Berberine Extends Lifespan in <i>C. elegans</i> Through Multi-Target Synergistic Antioxidant Effects |
| title_full_unstemmed | Berberine Extends Lifespan in <i>C. elegans</i> Through Multi-Target Synergistic Antioxidant Effects |
| title_short | Berberine Extends Lifespan in <i>C. elegans</i> Through Multi-Target Synergistic Antioxidant Effects |
| title_sort | berberine extends lifespan in i c elegans i through multi target synergistic antioxidant effects |
| topic | anti-aging berberine <i>C. elegans</i> antioxidant insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/4/450 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yingshuobei berberineextendslifespaninicelegansithroughmultitargetsynergisticantioxidanteffects AT tingwang berberineextendslifespaninicelegansithroughmultitargetsynergisticantioxidanteffects AT shuwenguan berberineextendslifespaninicelegansithroughmultitargetsynergisticantioxidanteffects |