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Salidroside alleviates age-related metaphase II oocyte aging by enhancing mitochondrial complex I-mediated oxidative

Feimiao Wang1, Zhaoyang Wang2, Jialing Li3

  • 1School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, China; Reproductive Medicine Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, China.

Cellular Signalling
|July 11, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Salidroside supplementation improves egg quality in aging women by enhancing mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress. This natural compound shows promise for delaying ovarian aging and boosting fertility.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Gerontology
  • Mitochondrial medicine

Background:

  • Oocyte quality decline is a major cause of infertility in older women.
  • Aging leads to reduced oocyte maturation and developmental competence.
  • Current interventions for age-related oocyte deterioration are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective effects of salidroside against age-related MII oocyte deterioration.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of salidroside's action on oocyte quality.
  • To assess salidroside's potential as a therapeutic strategy for improving reproductive outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Supplementation with salidroside in aged MII oocytes.
  • Transcriptomic analysis to identify molecular pathways affected by salidroside.
  • Assessment of oocyte maturation, developmental competence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, DNA damage, and apoptosis.
  • Inhibition of mitochondrial complex I with rotenone to confirm mechanism of action.

Main Results:

  • Salidroside significantly improved MII oocyte maturation and developmental competence.
  • Transcriptomic analysis revealed salidroside enhances oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) by upregulating mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I.
  • Salidroside reduced ROS accumulation, DNA damage, and apoptosis in aged oocytes.
  • The beneficial effects of salidroside were abolished by rotenone, confirming its action via mitochondrial complex I.

Conclusions:

  • Salidroside supplementation is a promising strategy to counteract age-related MII oocyte deterioration.
  • Salidroside enhances oocyte quality by boosting mitochondrial complex I-mediated OXPHOS and reducing oxidative stress.
  • This intervention may help delay ovarian aging and improve fertility outcomes in older women.
Keywords:
AgingMitochondrial complex IOocyteOxidative phosphorylationSalidroside

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