title: Protocatechuic acid extends lifespan and increases stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: Veronica peregrina has a wide range of types of constituents with various pharmacological properties. Here in this study, we isolated protocatechuic acid (PCA) from V. peregrina and examined PCAs effects on the lifespan and stress tolerance using Caenorhabditis elegans model system. We found that lifespan of wild-type worms was significantly lengthened in the presence of PCA in a dose dependent manner. PCA also elevated tolerance of worms against osmotic, heat shock, and oxidative stress. We also demonstrated antioxidant capacity of PCA by checking intracellular reactive oxygen species level and antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase and superoxide dismutase. We further investigated several factors including pharyngeal pumping rate and progeny production that might influence prolonged lifespan and enhanced stress tolerance by PCA. Interestingly, both factors were significantly reduced after PCA exposure, indicating PCA exerts longevity activity by shifting food intake and reproduction at least in part. In addition, PCA-treated aged worms showed increased body movement compared to untreated controls suggesting PCA could enhance healthspan as well as lifespan.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Woosuk University, Jeonbuk, 565-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Seong
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyun Won
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Myon-Hee
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dae Keun
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hoon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Dong Seok
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Cha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D062385:Hydroxybenzoates / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D032264:Veronica / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D062385:Hydroxybenzoates; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C009091:protocatechuic acid