Paederoside Promotes Longevity and Fitness in C. elegans Through Ubiquitination and Degradation of DAF-2/IGF1R, Activating DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/NRF2 Transcription Factors

Paederia scandens(Lour.)Merris a substance exhibiting medicine–food homology (MFH), commonly used in China. However, the antioxidant and anti-aging effects ofpaederoside(PSG) have not been thoroughly investigated; therefore, in this study,Caenorhabditis elegans(C. elegans) was treated with PSG to investigate these effects. We found that 50, 80, and 100 μg/mL of PSG could prolong the lifespan ofC. elegans, and administration of 100 μg/mL PSG significantly reduced the accumulation of lipofuscin. Under conditions of oxidative stress, RT-qPCR analysis revealed that PSG treatment significantly up-regulated the expression of key antioxidant geneskn-1and longevity-associated genedaf-16. In addition, PSG increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT and reduced the level of MDA. When DAF-2 activity is reduced or inhibited inC. elegans, DAF-16 and SKN-1 are activated and translocate to the nucleus to promote stress resistance and prolong lifespan. Finally, by utilizing HeLa cell models, we demonstrated that the core component ofPaederia scandens, PSG, promotes targeted degradation of IGF1R through the ubiquitin–proteasome system. Our results suggest that feedingC. elegansPSG is effective in extending this organism’s lifespan by improving oxidative stress resistance; thus, PSG has significant potential for development as an anti-aging food product and drug.