Antioxidant and anti-aging activities of Laminaria japonica polysaccharide in Caenorhabditis elegans based on metabonomic analysis

In this study, Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJP) was measured in vitro against three antioxidant indicators: DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl. In vivo, LJP investigated thermal tolerance, H2O2-induced oxidative stress tolerance, and lipofuscin in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Following that, after LJP treatment, the effects and under-lying mechanisms were investigated at the mRNA and metabolite levels. We discovered the free radical scav-enging activity of LJP. The thermal tolerance of C. elegans improved significantly, lowering levels of malondialdehyde, lipofuscin, and reactive oxygen species. Upregulation of Glp-1, Daf-16, Skn-1, and Sod-3 expression and downregulation of Age-1 and Daf-2 expression increased the ability to resist oxidative stress. Metabolomic analysis revealed that LJP promoted alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, the TCA cycle, butanoate metabolism, and the FOXO signaling pathway expression, resulting in significant changes in (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid, palmitic acid, L-glutamic acid, L-malic acid, and oleic acid. The present study shows that LJP, as a functional food, has the potential to boost antioxidant capacity and delay aging.

Automated summary

In this study, the antioxidant activity of Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJP) was investigated in vitro. Additionally, the effects of LJP on thermal tolerance, oxidative stress tolerance, and aging in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) were studied in vivo. The results showed that LJP exhibited free radical scavenging activity, improved thermal tolerance, and reduced oxidative stress levels in C. elegans. Furthermore, LJP modulated the expression of certain genes and metabolic pathways, contributing to its ability to delay aging.