Magnolol protects Saccharomyces cerevisiae antioxidant-deficient mutants from oxidative stress and extends yeast chronological life span

We investigated the protective effect of a natural polyphenol, magnolol, on Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells under oxidative stress, and during aging. Our results showed the sensitivity of S. cerevisiae antioxidant gene deficient mutants (sod1 Delta, sod2 Delta, cta1 Delta, ctt1 Delta, gtt2 Delta and tsa1 Delta) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and menadione stress was rescued by magnolol as demonstrated in spot and colony forming unit counts. Yeast cells pretreated with magnolol showed decreased intracellular oxidation, lipid peroxidation and an increased level of reduced glutathione. Further, SOD1, CTA1 and GTT2 gene expression was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and was found that magnolol significantly attenuated the upregulation of SOD1 and CTA1 genes under oxidative stress. Finally, longevity of the wild type and sod1 mutant cells were extended by magnolol, and also enhance stress resistance against oxidant stress during chronological aging.