Rosmarinus officinalis L. increases Caenorhabditis elegans stress resistance and longevity in a DAF-16, HSF-1 and SKN-1-dependent manner

Braz J Med Biol Res. 2016 Aug 1;49(9):e5235. doi: 10.1590/1414-431X20165235.

Abstract

Improving overall health and quality of life, preventing diseases and increasing life expectancy are key concerns in the field of public health. The search for antioxidants that can inhibit oxidative damage in cells has received a lot of attention. Rosmarinus officinalis L. represents an exceptionally rich source of bioactive compounds with pharmacological properties. In the present study, we explored the effects of the ethanolic extract of R. officinalis (eeRo) on stress resistance and longevity using the non-parasitic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model. We report for the first time that eeRo increased resistance against oxidative and thermal stress and extended C. elegans longevity in an insulin/IGF signaling pathway-dependent manner. These data emphasize the eeRo beneficial effects on C. elegans under stress.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / drug effects*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / drug effects
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / drug effects
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / drug effects
  • Longevity / drug effects*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Rosmarinus / chemistry*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Stress, Physiological / drug effects*
  • Transcription Factors / drug effects

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • daf-16 protein, C elegans
  • heat shock factor-1, C elegans
  • skn-1 protein, C elegans