Anti-aging Effect of Panax notoginseng Saponins via Protecting Endogenous Antioxidant in Fruit Flies

Abstract

Introduction: Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), the main active ingredients extracted from Panax notoginseng, are chemical mixtures, with the five main active components of ginsenosides Rg1, Rb1, Re, Rd and notoginsenoside R1.Objectives: The present study investigated the effect of PNS on anti-aging in fruit flies, which represented as a natural physical organism aging model.Materials and Methods: After lifelong supplement of PNS in the culture medium at the concentration of 50, 100 and 200 mg/L, the reproduction and the lifespan were observed in fruit flies. The activity of total antioxidative capabilities (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) were detected to evaluate oxidative stress levels.Results: Lifelong supplement of 50 mg/L PNS significantly prolonged the lifespan of fruit flies (Log rank χ2 =6.752, P=0.009); supplement of 100 mg/L PNS tendency increased the lifespan of fruit flies with no significance; while supplement of 200 mg/L PNS potentially accelerated the death of fruit flies with no significance. Supplement of 50 mg/L PNS protected the reproductive capacity (p<0.05 for 15 and 30 days) in fruit flies. The activity of T-AOC, CAT, total SOD (T-SOD) and GSH-px significantly or tendency increased by 50, 100 and 200 mg/L PNS.Conclusion: Supplement of 50 mg/L PNS prolonged the lifespan and protected the reproductive capacity of fruit flies. The mechanism might be, at least in part, through the anti-oxidative stress pathway by protecting the activity of T-AOC, CAT, T-SOD and GSH-px. Supplement of 200 mg/L PNS might be toxic for fruit flies.

Keywords: Panax notoginseng saponins; Aging; Lifespan; Reproduction; Antioxidant enzyme