예쁜꼬마선충을 이용한 홍삼 추출물의 항스트레스, 수명 연장 효능 평가 및 파킨슨 질환에의 효과 연구

초록

Background: Cellular oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species, byproducts of intra- cellular metabolic processes, is considered a major causal factor of aging. Many anti-oxidant mole- cules have been studied for their anti-aging and lifespan-extending effects in various model organisms ranging from yeast to mice. Methods and Results: This study examined the effects of red ginseng extract on the stress response, lifespan, and age-related diseases using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system. Red ginseng extract shows anti-oxidant activity in vitro and in vivo. Resistance to heat stress and ultra- violet irradiation was also significantly enhanced by red ginseng extract. Treatment with a 1/10 dilution of red ginseng extracts increased the mean and maximum lifespans without reducing fertil- ity, which is frequently observed in many lifespan-extending interventions. In a genetic model of Parkinson’s disease, red ginseng extract completely blocked the degeneration of dopaminergic neu- rons and decreased alpha-synuclein expression. Conclusions: Red ginseng extracts have anti-stress and lifespan-extending effects, and can reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. These findings suggested that red ginseng is a strong candidate for the development of novel nutriceuticals against aging and Parkinson’s disease.

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