Abstract
Phenotypic frailty is characterized by a progressive decline in physical functioning. During ageing, morphological and functional alterations involve the brain, and chief theories involve oxidative stress, free radical accumulation, and reduced antioxidant defenses as the most implicated mechanisms. From boosting the immune system to fighting senescence, medicinal mushrooms have been found to have a number of health and longevity benefits. Among them, Hericium erinaceus (He) has been demonstrated to display a variety of physiological effects, including anti-aging properties. Thus, He represents an attractive natural source for developing novel medicines and functional foods, based on the identification of its active ingredients and metabolites. Particularly, H. erinaceus primordium (He2) extract contains a high amount of Ergothioneine (ERGO), the longevity vitamin. Herein, we revealed the preventive effect of ERGO-rich He2 extract in a preclinical model, focusing on locomotor decline during ageing monitored through spontaneous behavioral test. This effect was accompanied by a significant decrease in some oxidative stress markers (NOS2, COX2) paralleled by an increase in P53, showed in cerebellar cortex cells and fibres by immunohistochemistry. In summary, we demonstrated the neuro-protective and preventive effects of He2 extract during aging, probably due to its peculiarly high ERGO content.
Highlights
Aging is characterized by a progressive loss of physiological integrity, leading to gradual decline in physical and cognitive functions, due to different morphological and functional changes involving the brain, e.g., atrophy, oxidative stress, and reduced antioxidant mechanisms [1]
Using HPLC-UV-ESI/mass spectrum (MS), the presence of ERGO in the He2 primordium extract was assessed and ERGO amount was measured by comparison with ERGO standard curve utrients 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW (Figure 2, panel D), as reported in Roda et al, 2021 [23]
ET was present in He2 sample with a measured content of 1.30 ± 0.57 mg/g
Summary
Aging is characterized by a progressive loss of physiological integrity, leading to gradual decline in physical and cognitive functions, due to different morphological and functional changes involving the brain, e.g., atrophy, oxidative stress, and reduced antioxidant mechanisms [1]. These typical hallmarks contribute to the aging process, together determining the aging phenotype and increasing vulnerability to death [2]. The cellular milieu of the brain exhibits signs of compromised bioenergetics, impaired neuroplasticity, inflammation, and accumulation of oxidatively modified molecules and organelles These changes make the aging brain vulnerable to neurodegenerative disorders, e.g., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and stroke [9]
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