# Lycium ruthenicum Murray Anthocyanins Alleviate Aging Through SIRT1/P53 Signaling Pathway

## TL;DR

This study shows that Lycium ruthenicum anthocyanins reduce aging effects by boosting antioxidants and suppressing harmful genes.

## Contribution

The novel finding is that LRAs alleviate aging via the SIRT1/P53 pathway, offering a new therapeutic approach for age-related diseases.

## Key findings

- LRAs increased survival rates and reduced oxidative stress markers in D-galactose-induced H9c2 cells and H2O2-treated zebrafish.
- Transcriptome analysis showed reduced expression of aging-related genes after LRA treatment.
- LRAs activated SIRT1 and suppressed P53/P21, reducing apoptosis and oxidative stress.

## Abstract

Aging-related diseases have become a global health issue, with the escalating aging population leading to an increased disease incidence, placing immense pressure on individual health and society. Lycium ruthenicum Murray anthocyanins are hailed as the “Black Pearl of the Desert”. Anthocyanins are potent natural antioxidants that can combat oxidation, reduce inflammation, prevent cardiovascular diseases, protect the liver, and inhibit tumor cell growth. As individuals age, the accumulation of free radicals in the body accelerates aging. Antioxidants mitigate aging by neutralizing free radicals, and the anthocyanins in Lycium ruthenicum Murray effectively reduce oxidative damage, activate the antioxidant enzyme system, and enhance the body’s antioxidant capacity, thereby slowing the aging process. This study investigated Lycium ruthenicum Murray Anthocyanins’ (LRAs) anti-aging mechanisms using D-galactose-induced H9c2 cells and H2O2-treated zebrafish. LRAs increased survival rates (30.47% cells, 20.02% zebrafish), reduced ROS, Sa-β-gal, and apoptosis markers, while boosting antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH) and lowering MDA. It upregulated Bcl-2/SIRT1 and downregulated Bax/P53/P21/NF-κB/MAPK/TNF-α genes, with protein-level SIRT1 activation and P53/P21 suppression. The transcriptome analysis revealed a significant reduction in aging-related gene expression levels. The results demonstrated that LRAs mitigate aging through SIRT1/P53-mediated oxidative stress inhibition and apoptosis reduction, suggesting their therapeutic potential for age-related disorders.