title: Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem confers increased resistance to environmental stresses and lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acanthopanax sessiliflorus is a native Korean plant and used as traditional medicine or an ingredient in many Korean foods. The free radical theory of aging suggests that cellular oxidative stress caused by free radicals is the main cause of aging. Free radicals can be removed by cellular anti-oxidants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we examined the anti-oxidant activity of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract both in vitro and in vivo. Survival of nematode C. elegans under stress conditions was also compared between control and Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract-treated groups. Then, anti-aging effect of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract was monitored in C. elegans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stem extract significantly reduced oxidative DNA damage in lymphocyte, which was not observed by leaves or root extract. Survival of C. elegans under oxidative-stress conditions was significantly enhanced by Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem extract. In addition, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem increased resistance to other environmental stresses, including heat shock and ultraviolet irradiation. Treatment with Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem extract significantly extended both mean and maximum lifespan in C. elegans. However, fertility was not affected by Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different parts of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus have different bioactivities and stem extract have strong anti-oxidant activity in both rat lymphocytes and C. elegans, and conferred a longevity phenotype without reduced reproduction in C. elegans, which provides conclusive evidence to support the free radical theory of aging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, 22 Soonchunhyang-ro, Shinchang-myeon, Asan, Chungnam 336-745, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Kook
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, 22 Soonchunhyang-ro, Shinchang-myeon, Asan, Chungnam 336-745, Korea.
authors.forename: Chul-Kyu
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, 22 Soonchunhyang-ro, Shinchang-myeon, Asan, Chungnam 336-745, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Ki
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, 22 Soonchunhyang-ro, Shinchang-myeon, Asan, Chungnam 336-745, Korea.
authors.forename: A-Reum
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, 22 Soonchunhyang-ro, Shinchang-myeon, Asan, Chungnam 336-745, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi-Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, 22 Soonchunhyang-ro, Shinchang-myeon, Asan, Chungnam 336-745, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Kyu
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Acanthopanax sessiliflorus; Caenorhabditis elegans; fertility; lifespan; stress response