Icariin Improves Stress Resistance and Extends Lifespan in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> through <i>hsf-1</i> and <i>daf-2</i>-Driven Hormesis
Aging presents an increasingly significant challenge globally, driven by the growing proportion of individuals aged 60 and older. Currently, there is substantial research interest in pro-longevity interventions that target pivotal signaling pathways, aiming not only to extend lifespan but also to en...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/1/352 |
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| author | Monika N. Todorova Martina S. Savova Liliya V. Mihaylova Milen I. Georgiev |
| author_facet | Monika N. Todorova Martina S. Savova Liliya V. Mihaylova Milen I. Georgiev |
| author_sort | Monika N. Todorova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aging presents an increasingly significant challenge globally, driven by the growing proportion of individuals aged 60 and older. Currently, there is substantial research interest in pro-longevity interventions that target pivotal signaling pathways, aiming not only to extend lifespan but also to enhance healthspan. One particularly promising approach involves inducing a hormetic response through the utilization of natural compounds defined as hormetins. Various studies have introduced the flavonoid icariin as beneficial for age-related diseases such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions. To validate its potential pro-longevity properties, we employed <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> as an experimental platform. The accumulated results suggest that icariin extends the lifespan of <i>C. elegans</i> through modulation of the DAF-2, corresponding to the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway in humans. Additionally, we identified increased resistance to heat and oxidative stress, modulation of lipid metabolism, improved late-life healthspan, and an extended lifespan upon icariin treatment. Consequently, a model mechanism of action was provided for icariin that involves the modulation of various players within the stress-response network. Collectively, the obtained data reveal that icariin is a potential hormetic agent with geroprotective properties that merits future developments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T15:05:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e165b2c94856459893895cb545c718b3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T15:05:45Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-e165b2c94856459893895cb545c718b32024-01-10T14:59:10ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672023-12-0125135210.3390/ijms25010352Icariin Improves Stress Resistance and Extends Lifespan in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> through <i>hsf-1</i> and <i>daf-2</i>-Driven HormesisMonika N. Todorova0Martina S. Savova1Liliya V. Mihaylova2Milen I. Georgiev3Laboratory of Metabolomics, Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 139 Ruski Blvd., 4000 Plovdiv, BulgariaLaboratory of Metabolomics, Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 139 Ruski Blvd., 4000 Plovdiv, BulgariaLaboratory of Metabolomics, Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 139 Ruski Blvd., 4000 Plovdiv, BulgariaLaboratory of Metabolomics, Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 139 Ruski Blvd., 4000 Plovdiv, BulgariaAging presents an increasingly significant challenge globally, driven by the growing proportion of individuals aged 60 and older. Currently, there is substantial research interest in pro-longevity interventions that target pivotal signaling pathways, aiming not only to extend lifespan but also to enhance healthspan. One particularly promising approach involves inducing a hormetic response through the utilization of natural compounds defined as hormetins. Various studies have introduced the flavonoid icariin as beneficial for age-related diseases such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions. To validate its potential pro-longevity properties, we employed <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> as an experimental platform. The accumulated results suggest that icariin extends the lifespan of <i>C. elegans</i> through modulation of the DAF-2, corresponding to the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway in humans. Additionally, we identified increased resistance to heat and oxidative stress, modulation of lipid metabolism, improved late-life healthspan, and an extended lifespan upon icariin treatment. Consequently, a model mechanism of action was provided for icariin that involves the modulation of various players within the stress-response network. Collectively, the obtained data reveal that icariin is a potential hormetic agent with geroprotective properties that merits future developments.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/1/352longevityaginglifespanhealthspanicariin<i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> |
| spellingShingle | Monika N. Todorova Martina S. Savova Liliya V. Mihaylova Milen I. Georgiev Icariin Improves Stress Resistance and Extends Lifespan in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> through <i>hsf-1</i> and <i>daf-2</i>-Driven Hormesis International Journal of Molecular Sciences longevity aging lifespan healthspan icariin <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> |
| title | Icariin Improves Stress Resistance and Extends Lifespan in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> through <i>hsf-1</i> and <i>daf-2</i>-Driven Hormesis |
| title_full | Icariin Improves Stress Resistance and Extends Lifespan in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> through <i>hsf-1</i> and <i>daf-2</i>-Driven Hormesis |
| title_fullStr | Icariin Improves Stress Resistance and Extends Lifespan in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> through <i>hsf-1</i> and <i>daf-2</i>-Driven Hormesis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Icariin Improves Stress Resistance and Extends Lifespan in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> through <i>hsf-1</i> and <i>daf-2</i>-Driven Hormesis |
| title_short | Icariin Improves Stress Resistance and Extends Lifespan in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> through <i>hsf-1</i> and <i>daf-2</i>-Driven Hormesis |
| title_sort | icariin improves stress resistance and extends lifespan in i caenorhabditis elegans i through i hsf 1 i and i daf 2 i driven hormesis |
| topic | longevity aging lifespan healthspan icariin <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/1/352 |
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