Protective effect of Vigna unguiculata extract against aging and neurodegeneration

ABSTRACT: Aging and age-related neurodegeneration are among the major challenges because of the progressive increase in the number of elder people in the wold population. Nutrition, which has important long-term consequences for health, is actually considered a means to prevent diseases and to reach a healthy aging. Here we investigate the role of Vigna unguiculata beans on senescence by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Drosophila melanogaster as model systems. Aqueous extract, mainly containing starch, proteins and amino acids, extends chronological lifespan in yeast cells, showing a remarkable synergistic effect in combination with caloric restriction. The extension of yeast longevity requires both the anti-aging Snf1/AMPK and the pro-aging Ras2/PKA pathways. A significant marked increase of lifespan was observed also in fruit flies supplemented with the V. unguiculata extract, which is accompanied by the increased expression of FOXO, NOTCH, SIRT1 and heme oxygenase (HO) genes, already known to be required for the extension of fruit fly longevity. α-synuclein forms toxic intracellular protein inclusions in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and actually preventing α-synuclein self-assembly has become one of the most promising approaches for the treatment of this neurodegenerative disorder. Here, we report that in vitro aggregation of -synuclein, as well as its toxicity in yeast and in neuroblastoma cells, are strongly decreased in the presence of bean extract. In addition, in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of PD that expresses α-synuclein, Vigna unguiculate extract substantially reduces the number of the age-dependent degeneration of the cephalic dopaminergic neurons. Overall, our data support the role of Vigna unguiculata beans as a functional food, worth to be further explored in order to develop lead molecules for therapeutic intervention in age-related disorders.

INSTRUMENT(S): TripleTOF 5600

ORGANISM(S): 'phaseolus Vulgaris' Phytoplasma

SUBMITTER: Simona Nonnis  

LAB HEAD: Simona Nonnis

PROVIDER: PXD017716 | Pride | 2021-09-08

REPOSITORIES: Pride