Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort as a medicinal and edible plant foods: Antioxidant, anti-aging and neuroprotective properties in Caenorhabditis elegans

Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (CX) is a medicinal and edible plant including a variety of active substances, which may be an available resource for the treatment of related diseases. To expand the medicinal uses of CX, this study aims to explore the antioxidant, anti-aging and neuroprotective effects of the Ligusticum chuanxiong leaves (CXL) and rhizome (CXR) extracts. We first characterize CX phytochemical spectrum by LC-MS as well as antioxidant capacity. Acute toxicity, anti-oxidative stress capacity, lifespan and healthspan was evaluated in C elegans N2. Neuroprotective effect was evaluated in vitro and in vivo (C elegans CL4176 and CL2355). In this study, we detected 74 and 78 compounds from CXR and CXL, respectively, including phthalides, alkaloids, organic acids, terpenes, polyphenols and others. Furthermore, we found that CXs not only protect against oxidative stress, but also prolong the lifespan, alleviate lipofuscin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and improve movement level, antioxidant enzyme activity in C elegans N-2. However, only CXR reduced the beta-amyloid peptide (A beta)-induced paralysis phenotype in CL4176s and alleviated chemosensory behavior dysfunction in CL2355s. In addition, CXR treatment reduced the production of A beta and ROS, enhanced SOD activity in CL4176s. The possible mechanism of anti-aging of CXL and CXR is to promote the expression of related antioxidant pathway genes, increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and reduce the accumulation of ROS, which is dependent on DAF-16 and HSF-1 (only in CXR). CXR was able to activate antioxidase-related (sod-3 and sod-5) and heat shock protein genes (hsp-16.1 and hsp-70) expression, consequently ameliorating proteotoxicity related to A beta aggregation. In summary, these findings demonstrate the antioxidant, anti-aging and neuroprotective (only in CXR) activities of the CX, which provide an important pharmacological basis for developing functional foods and drugs to relieve the symptoms of aging and AD. However, the material basis of neuroprotective activity and antiaging effects need to be elucidated, and the relationship between these activities should also be clarified in future studies.

Automated summary

Ligusticum chuanxiong (CX) is a medicinal and edible plant known for its antioxidant, anti-aging, and neuroprotective effects. This study explored the effects of CX leaves (CXL) and rhizome (CXR) extracts on oxidative stress, lifespan, and neuroprotection. The results showed that CX extracts protected against oxidative stress, extended lifespan, reduced lipofuscin and reactive oxygen species accumulation, and improved movement and antioxidant enzyme activity in C. elegans. Specifically, only CXR reduced beta-amyloid peptide-induced paralysis and improved chemosensory behavior dysfunction. The mechanisms behind the anti-aging effects of CXL and CXR involved the expression of antioxidant pathway genes and the reduction of ROS accumulation, which depended on DAF-16 and HSF-1. These findings provide a basis for the development of functional foods and drugs to alleviate aging and AD symptoms.