β-asarone protects against age-related motor decline via activation of SKN-1/Nrf2 and subsequent induction of GST-4.

Ming Lei, Jiayu Wu, Yanheng Tan, Yang Shi, Wuyan Yang, Haijun Tu, Weihong Tan

Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: [email protected] of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: [email protected]. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Decelerating motor decline is important for promoting healthy aging in the elderly population. Acorus tatarinowii Schott is a traditional Chinese medicine that contains β-asarone as a pharmacologically active constituent. We found that β-asarone can decelerate motor decline in various age groups of Caenorhabditis elegans, while concurrently prolonging their lifespan and modulating synaptic transmission. To understand the mechanisms of its efficacy in motor improvement, we investigated and discovered that mitochondrial fragmentation, a marker for aging, is delayed after β-asarone treatment. Moreover, their efficacy is blocked by dysfunctional mitochondria. Corresponding to their role in regulating mitochondrial homeostasis, we found that SKN-1/Nrf2 and GST-4 are critical in the β-asarone treatment, and they appear to be activated via the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway. Well-developed intestinal microvilli are required for this process. Our study demonstrates the efficacy and mechanism of β-asarone treatment in age-related motor decline, contributing to the discovery of drugs for achieving healthy aging.

The following analysis is generated by AI and may contain errors. It is separate from the authors’ abstract and is not peer review.

Research summary

The paper investigates the effects of β-asarone on age-related motor decline in a model organism, C. elegans, and explores mechanisms related to mitochondrial health and signaling pathways associated with aging. This focus on a potential intervention for motor decline and lifespan extension aligns with longevity research. However, while the findings are solid and contribute to understanding the mechanisms of aging, they do not represent a major breakthrough or transformative implications for the field, hence the moderate impact score.

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