Erigeron breviscapus extends worm lifespan and reduces senescence markers in mice
The herbal extract activates AMPK-SIRT1 signaling, enhancing antioxidant defenses and modulating apoptosis to alleviate tissue aging across both model organisms.
Biogerontology · Pu Y et al. · Paper published 25 Sep 2026
In Caenorhabditis elegans roundworms and SAMP8 mice, researchers evaluated the anti-senescence effects of the medicinal herb Erigeron breviscapus Hand-Mazz. (EBHM). In C. elegans, EBHM extended average lifespan by up to 18.68% while boosting stress resistance and motor function. These longevity effects required the genes aak-2, sir-2.1, daf-16, and cep-1. EBHM increased p-AMPK and SIR-2.1 levels, stimulated antioxidant enzyme activity, and shifted apoptotic gene expression toward survival. In senescence-accelerated SAMP8 mice, EBHM alleviated aging-related damage in the liver and kidney. It lowered SA-β-gal-positive cells, reduced collagen deposition, and decreased senescence markers including p16, p21, and p53. The treatment also restored antioxidant defenses and suppressed apoptosis.
Why it matters
The study demonstrates that activating conserved energy-sensing pathways like AMPK and SIRT1 can simultaneously enhance antioxidant protection and suppress cellular senescence across divergent species.
Caveats
The experiments were restricted to short-lived nematodes and an accelerated-aging rodent model, meaning these findings cannot yet be generalized to standard mammalian aging or humans.
Written from the paper’s abstract, and every claim checked against it before publishing. Read the paper for the full methods and data.
The paper
Erigeron breviscapus alleviates senescence via AMPK-SIRT1 signaling by modulating FOXO3a-mediated antioxidant defense and p53-dependent apoptosis
Pu Y, Su C, Wang X et al.
Biogerontology · 25 Sep 2026 · Peer-reviewed
- Relevance
- Core geroscience
- News value
- Notable
- Evidence
- Animals
- Status
- Peer-reviewed
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