Rosa roxburghii Fruit Extracts Upregulate Telomerase Activity and Ameliorate Cell Replicative Senescence
Yan Huang1, Haoyue Peng1, Yifan Wu1
1MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 19, 2024
Summary
Rosa roxburghii fruit extracts boost telomerase activity, extending cell lifespan and combating aging. This natural product offers a potential, affordable alternative for anti-aging functional foods.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Cellular senescence, driven by telomere shortening, is a hallmark of aging.
- Telomerase, particularly the telomerase catalytic subunit (TERT), counteracts telomere shortening.
- Existing anti-aging interventions like TA-65 are costly; natural alternatives are sought.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-aging potential of Rosa roxburghii fruit extracts.
- To determine if R. roxburghii affects telomerase activity and cellular senescence.
- To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of R. roxburghii's effects.
Main Methods:
- Culturing human mesenchymal stem cells.
- Assessing TERT expression and telomerase activity.
- Measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage.
- Analyzing cell proliferation, morphology, and senescence markers.
- Performing transcriptome and metabolic profiling.
Main Results:
- R. roxburghii fruit extracts significantly increased TERT expression and telomerase activity.
- Extracts reduced ROS levels, enhanced superoxide dismutase activity, and mitigated DNA damage.
- Cellular senescence was delayed, with improved morphology and attenuated cell cycle suppressors.
- Transcriptome data indicated promotion of DNA replication and telomere maintenance pathways.
Conclusions:
- R. roxburghii fruit extracts demonstrate significant anti-aging properties by enhancing telomere maintenance.
- These extracts offer a promising, natural, and potentially cost-effective ingredient for anti-aging functional foods.
- Further research supports R. roxburghii as a valuable natural product for promoting cellular health and longevity.
Related Concept Videos
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
3.6K
Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds...
3.6K
02:41Telomeres and Telomerase
23.3K
In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded...
23.3K
01:29Replication in Eukaryotes
13.7K
In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high fidelity before cell division, so there are many proteins that fulfill specialized roles in the replication process. Replication occurs in three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, and ends with two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...
13.7K
01:37Mitochondria
12.1K
Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
12.1K
02:37DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
9.1K
In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
9.1K
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
4.1K
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
4.1K