# Cryptomphalus aspersa Egg Extract Protects against Human Stem Cell Stress-Induced Premature Senescence

## TL;DR

This study shows that an extract from Cryptomphalus aspersa eggs can protect human stem cells from stress-induced aging by boosting antioxidants and autophagy.

## Contribution

The study identifies CAEE as a novel natural compound that prevents stem cell senescence via the Caveolin-1–autophagy–senescence axis.

## Key findings

- CAEE enhances stemness and wound-healing properties of WJ-MSCs.
- CAEE increases GSH and NRF2 levels, showing strong antioxidant activity.
- CAEE prevents stress-induced senescence by inducing autophagy and reducing Caveolin-1.

## Abstract

Cellular senescence is a tightly regulated pathophysiologic process and is caused by replicative exhaustion or external stressors. Since naturally derived bioactive compounds with anti-ageing properties have recently captured scientific interest, we analysed the anti-ageing and antioxidant efficacy of Cryptomphalus aspersa egg extract (CAEE). Its effects on stemness, wound-healing properties, antioxidant defense mechanisms, and DNA damage repair ability of Human Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) were analysed. Our results revealed that CAEE fortifies WJ-MSCs stemness, which possibly ameliorates their wound-healing ability. Additionally, we show that CAEE possesses a strong antioxidant capacity as demonstrated by the elevation of the levels of the basic antioxidant molecule, GSH, and the induction of the NRF2, a major antioxidant regulator. In addition, CAEE alleviated cells’ oxidative stress and therefore prevented stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS). Furthermore, we demonstrated that the prevention of SIPS could be mediated via the extract’s ability to induce autophagy, as indicated by the elevation of the protein levels of all basic autophagic molecules and the increase in formation of autophagolysosomes in CAEE-treated WJ-MSCs. Moreover, CAEE-treated cells exhibited decreased Caveolin-1 levels. We propose that Cryptomphalus aspersa egg extract comprises bioactive compounds that can demonstrate strong antioxidant/anti-ageing effects by regulating the Caveolin-1–autophagy–senescence molecular axis.