The aging improvement effects and mechanism of astaxanthin on Caenorhabditis elegans

In this study, the mechanism of the aging improvement of astaxanthin on Caenorhabditis elegans was studied by lifespan extension analysis, oxidative stress, and heat stress analyses. Astaxanthin-treated groups ( 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 mmol/L) were compared to the control group to explore the anti-aging effect of different concentrations in wild-type nematode and identify the optimal dose according to mean and maximum lifespan extension.The optimal dose of astaxanthin was 1.2 mmol/L, at which dose astaxanthin prolonged mean lifespan of wild type nematode by 41.79% ( p < 0.01) and increased maximum lifespan by 32.72% ( p < 0.01) .The possible mechanisms of astaxanthin 's aging effects were further studied using the1.2 mmol/L treatment to test its impact on resistance to heat and oxidative stress. The mean survival times of astaxanthin-treated wild type nematode after oxidative and heat stress were increased by 22.54% and 24.23% ( p < 0.01) , respectively. In oxidative stress and heat stress experiments, 1.2 mmol/L astaxanthin could significantly increase the survival time of the sir-2.1 mutant nematodes, but had no significant effect on daf-2, daf-16, or eat-2 mutants. The above results suggested that astaxanthin can prolong the lifespan of nematodes by increasing stress tolerance and its mechanism may be related to the insulin signaling and diet-restriction pathways.