D-chiro-inositol increases antioxidant capacity and longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans via activating Nrf-2/SKN-1 and FOXO/DAF-16

• Published in: Experimental gerontology Vol. 175; p. 112145
• Main Authors: Shi, Lin, Yu, Xin-Tian, Li, Han, Wu, Gui-Sheng, Luo, Huai-Rong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01.05.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aging; Animals; Antioxidants - metabolism; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Antioxidation; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins - genetics; D-chiro-inositol; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; Forkhead Transcription Factors - metabolism; FOXO/DAF-16; Longevity; Neurodegenerative diseases; Nrf-2/SKN-1; Oxidative Stress; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factors - metabolism; FOXO/DAF-16; Caenorhabditis elegans; Neurodegenerative diseases; Aging; D-chiro-inositol; Antioxidation; Nrf-2/SKN-1
• ISSN: 0531-5565; 1873-6815
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112145

D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is an isomer of inositol, abundant in many foods, such as beans and buckwheat, with insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. DCI has been used to relieve insulin resistance in diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome in combination with inositol or D-pinitol. Here, we investigated the effect of DCI on aging and stress resistance in C. elegans. We found that DCI could prolong the lifespan of C. elegans by up to 29.6 %. DCI significantly delayed the onset of neurodegenerative diseases in models of C. elegans. DCI decreased the accumulation of Aβ1–42, alpha-synuclein, and poly-glutamine, the pathological causes of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, respectively. DCI significantly increased the stress resistances against pathogens, oxidants and heat shock. Moreover, D-chiro-inositol reduced the content of ROS and malondialdehyde by increasing the total antioxidant capacity and the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Above effects of DCI requires the transcription factors FOXO/DAF-16 and Nrf-2/SKN-1. DCI also increased the expression of downstream genes regulated by FOXO/DAF-16 and Nrf-2/SKN-1. In conclusion, DCI enhanced the antioxidant capacity and healthy lifespan of C. elegans by activating DAF-16, SKN-1, and HSF-1. Our results showed that DCI could be a promising antiaging agent that is worth further research on the mechanism and health supplemental application of DCI. •D-chiro-inositol extends the lifespan and slows the aging-related phenotypes of C. elegans.•D-chiro-inositol delays the development of neurodegenerative diseases in models of C. elegans.•D-chiro-inositol enhances the healthy lifespan of C. elegans by activating DAF-16, SKN-1/NRF-2, and HSF-1.