Auricularia polytricha extract exerts SKN-1 and DAF-16 mediated longevity and stress resistance against UV-B exposure in Caenorhabditis elegans

BACKGROUND: Auricularia polytricha (AP) is traditionally known for its medicinal properties, and linoleic acid (LA) is the prominent component in AP. OBJECTIVE: To understand the anti-aging and stress resistance mechanism induced by AP in Caenorhabditis elegans. METHODS: C. elegans (wild-type (N2), transgenic, and mutant strains) were treated with AP and LA and monitored for lifespan and stress resistance through physiological assays, fluorescence microscopy, and qPCR analysis. Molecular docking studies were employed to identify the interaction mode of LA with DAF-16 and SKN-1. RESULTS: Ethanol extract of AP (APE) was non-toxic and could induce an anti-aging mechanism, as it could extend the lifespan of nematode worms. This was dependent on PMK-1 and DAF-16 as APE could not extend the lifespan of these gene-specific mutants apart from extending the expression of these genes in wild-type nematodes, which was evident from qPCR analysis. LA, too, had a similar effect on the lifespan of wild-type and mutant worms, which further supported the findings. Molecular docking studies pointed to the role of DAF-16 and SKN-1 in regulating the effect of APE. APE also exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms as it significantly extended the lifespan in worms exposed to UV-B-induced oxidative stress, thereby showing a protective effect. APE could regulate SKN-1, which was evident from qPCR analysis and the fluorescence of skn-1:GFP transgenic strain. Further qPCR analysis of candidate regulatory genes exhibited antioxidant mechanisms induced by APE. CONCLUSION: APE was observed to induce anti-aging efficacy via SKN-1 and DAF-16.