As a significant global issue, aging is prompting people’s interest in the potential anti-aging properties of Anoectochilus roxburghii (A. roxburghii), a plant traditionally utilized in various Asian countries for its purported benefits in treating diabetes and combating aging. However, the specific anti-aging components and mechanisms of A. roxburghii remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the anti-aging effects and mechanisms of A. roxburghii extract E (ARE). Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) were exposed to media containing different concentrations of ARE whose superior in vitro radical scavenging capacity was thus identified. Lifespan assays, stress resistance tests, and RT-qPCR analyses were conducted to evaluate anti-aging efficacy, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, antioxidant enzyme activity, and daf-16, sod-3, and gst-4 levels. Additionally, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were performed to elucidate the potential anti-aging mechanisms of ARE. Fluorescence protein assays and gene knockout experiments were employed to validate the impacts of ARE on anti-aging mechanisms. Our results revealed that ARE not only prolonged the lifespan of C. elegans but also mitigated ROS and lipofuscin accumulation, and boosted resistance to UV and heat stress. Furthermore, ARE modulated the expression of pivotal anti-aging genes including daf-16, sod-3, and gst-4, facilitating the nuclear translocation of DAF-16. Significantly, ARE failed to extend the lifespan of daf-16-deficient C. elegans (CF1038), indicating its dependency on the daf-16/FoxO signaling pathway. These results underscored the effectiveness of ARE as a natural agent for enhancing longevity and stress resilience to C. elegans, potentially to human.

The rapid rise in obesity has evolved into a critical global public health concern. Considering the potential adverse effects of current anti-obesity medications, the development of functional foods sourced from natural materials has emerged as a viable alternative. Blueberries, a category of berry fruits, exhibit potential anti-obesity characteristics. In this research, we assessed the impacts of Blueberry extract rich in anthocyanins (BE) on lipid metabolism and liver health in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. The findings indicated that BE notably diminished lipid accumulation in both serum and the liver, and mitigated hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress. Integrated proteomic, metagenomic, and metabolomic analyses further revealed the underlying mechanisms. Consumption of BE intake reconfigured the gut microbiota composition and reduced the microbial capacity for secondary bile acid metabolism, thereby interrupting bile acid recycling and facilitating fecal excretion. This process led to a reduction in systemic cholesterol levels and ultimately alleviated hepatic lipid accumulation, resulting in enhanced liver health.

Sweet pepper, a globally commercialized horticultural crop, has been demonstrated to impede fat accumulation, but its mechanism remains incompletely understood. This study was designed to explore the potential mechanism of sweet pepper in reducing fat accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans through RNA‐seq and metabolome analysis. A total of 22 metabolites were identified from sweet pepper by UHPLC‐ESI‐TOF‐MS analysis. In vivo, sweet pepper significantly inhibited α‐glucosidase activity and reduced the levels of glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and the area stained with oil red O. Additionally, it increased body length and the number of head swings in C. elegans compared to the control group. The KEGG enrichment analysis revealed significant enrichment of the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids signaling pathway among the differentially expressed genes and metabolites. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of sterol regulatory element‐binding proteins (SREBPs) ortholog SBP‐1, as well as the stearyl CoA desaturase‐1 (SCD1), including fat‐5, fat‐6, and fat‐7, were significantly decreased after treatment with sweet pepper. Collectively, sweet pepper effectively reduces fat accumulation, which is probably related to downregulating the SREBP‐SCD axis, offering new insights for future functional food development.