Alaskan Botanicals Influence Neuronal Aging

Abstract

Aging is a risk factor for many life‐threatening disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. Many genetic mutations and environmental factors that increase lifespan may also postpone these age‐related diseases. The overall goal of this project is to examine the effect of Alaskan botanicals on the aging nervous system, using the nematode model system, Caenorhabditis elegans. We tested the impact of crude extracts from three edible, medicinally beneficial Interior Alaskan botanicals (Vaccinium uliginosum [bog blueberry], Empetrum nigrum [crowberry], Vaccinium vitis‐idaea [lowbush cranberry], Inonotus obliquus [chaga]) on whole animal lifespan and markers of neuronal aging. Specifically, we evaluated age‐ and botanical‐related changes in neuronal morphology and function of mechanosensory and GABAergic motor neurons using fluorescently labeled C. elegans strains. We find that these botanicals are able to extend wildtype C. elegans lifespan by up to 35%. Preliminary results suggest that mechanosensory neuronal morphology and function are also affected, but not GABA‐ergic neurons. We explored the mechanism of action of these botanicals through determining the extracts' phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin composition and in vivo DAF‐16, SKN‐1, and HSF‐1 transcription factor activation following treatments. Through this botanical screen, we will scientifically validate and underscore the value of ecological resources endemic to the Arctic, elucidate the mechanism of changing neuronal morphology and functionality with age, and, perhaps, establish precedent for novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.