Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Mangiferin in Promoting Health Span and Stress Tolerance in C. elegans

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mangiferin is a natural compound with several known health benefits, including anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial effects, to mention a few. However, there is a paucity of information on the anti-aging effects of this polyphenolic compound, particularly regarding health span and stress tolerance. Hence, our research was designed to explore the therapeutic potential of mangiferin and provide scientific credence for its influence on health span and stress tolerance in C. elegans. METHODS: To achieve this, we investigated the effect of mangiferin on several known hallmarks of aging, which include thermal stress, motility behavior, and mRNA gene expression of stress-sensitive mutant strains, complemented with in-silico analysis of possible targets. RESULTS: Mangiferin treatment in nematodes reduced lipid droplet buildup, protein carbonyls, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to longer lifespans and better survival. DISCUSSION: The expression levels of hsp-16.2 and sod-3 were significantly increased, resulting in enhanced stress tolerance, as demonstrated by the improved motility function in both wild-type N2 and aak2 mutant strains. In addition, mangiferin exhibited strong binding affinities with the docked protein targets. CONCLUSION: Overall, mangiferin exhibited profound beneficial effects on health span and stress resistance parameters, promoting this compound as a high-potential geroprotective therapeutic.