title: Molecular pathways related to the longevity promotion and cognitive improvement of Cistanche tubulosa in Drosophila.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aging process, including physical dysfunction and age-related memory impairment (AMI), are considered to be correlated with cumulative oxidative damages and insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was to elucidate the in vivo effects on delaying aging and ameliorating AMI and underlying molecular mechanisms of Cistanche tubulosa (CT), a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to improve sexual function and treat kidney dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The flies, treated and untreated with CT, were observed for lifespan, resistance to oxidative stress with H2O2or paraquat, starvation assay, cognitive behaviors with T-maze, and transcript levels of target genes with quantitative RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administering CT extended the mean and maximum lifespan and increased resistance to oxidative stress in flies. CT supplementation also enhanced memory formation in young flies and suppressed AMI upon aging. Several genes and signaling pathways, including the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Notch networks, have been identified as causing these pharmacological effects and alterations in the gene expression of glutamate receptors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that CT supplementation may contribute to slowing aging phenotypes and alleviating cognitive behavioral decline in flies, indicating potential applicability for enhancing human health and reducing susceptibility to age-related disorders.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wei-Yong
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shung-Te
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan; Children's Medical Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Fuu-Jen
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: hpliu@mail.cmu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Hsin-Ping
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D031671:Cistanche / Q000737:chemistry*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000187:drug effects*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Aging; Cistanche tubulosa; Cognitive behavior; Herb