Background/objectives: In aerobic organisms, such as humans, oxygen radicals are inevitably produced. To counteract oxidation, the body generates antioxidant substances that suppress free radicals. However, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase due to aging and lifestyle factors, leading to exposure to various diseases. While synthetic antioxidants offer advantages like high stability, low cost, and availability, their safety remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antiaging activities of Houttuynia cordata (HC), which is rich in flavonoids and has excellent antioxidant properties, using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model.
Methods: Extraction and fractionation of HC were performed to evaluate antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS, superoxide radical scavenging activity) and antiaging effects (lifespan). The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) with the highest activity was selected for further investigation.
Results: The EAF of HC exhibited high levels of polyphenols and flavonoids, presenting the highest DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide radical scavenging activities. This fraction increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in nematodes in a concentration-dependent manner and provided resistance to oxidative stress, reducing ROS accumulation. Additionally, the fraction enhanced the lifespan of nematodes, improved resistance to heat stress, increased survival rates, and decreased the accumulation of aging pigments (lipofuscin). The expression of daf-2, daf-16, and sir-2.1, proteins directly involved in nematode aging, was confirmed. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry identified quercitrin in the HC extract, which may contribute to its antioxidant and antiaging effects.
Conclusions: The EAF of HC demonstrates significant potential for influencing antioxidant and antiaging, as evidenced by functional investigations using C. elegans.
Keywords: Caenorhabditis elegans; Houttuynia cordata; anti-aging; anti-oxidant.