Maral Root Extract and Its Main Constituent 20-Hydroxyecdysone Enhance Stress Resilience in Caenorhabditis elegans

As human life expectancy continues to rise, managing age-related diseases and preserving health in later years remain significant challenges. Consequently, there is a growing demand for strategies that enhance both the quality and the duration of life. Interventions that promote longevity, particularly those derived from natural sources, are popular for their potential to address age-related health concerns. Adaptogens-herbs, roots, and mushrooms-are valued in food science and nutrition for their ability to enhance resilience and overall well-being. Among these, Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin, known as maral root (Russian leuzea), holds a prominent place in Siberian traditional medicine. The root extract, abundant in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phytoecdysteroids, is reputed for reducing fatigue, boosting strength, and offering immunomodulatory benefits. However, the effects of the plant extract on lifespan and age-related decline remains poorly studied. This study investigates the effect of maral root extract and phytoecdysteroids-ecdysterone, ponasterone, and turkesterone-on aging using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. A sensitive liquid chromatography method with photodiode array detection was developed and validated to quantify the phytoecdysteroids in the extract. Behavioural and stress-response assays revealed that maral root not only extends lifespan but also significantly enhanced healthspan, stress resilience, and fitness in the nematodes. Additionally, treatment with ecdysterone, the most abundant compound in the root extract, improved healthspan by enhancing stress response. These findings underscore the potential of maral root as a natural adaptogen to mitigate age-related decline, providing valuable insights into natural longevity interventions.