# P-Hydroxybenzaldehyde from Gastrodia elata Blume Reduces Hydroxyurea-Induced Cellular Senescent Phenotypes in Human SH-SY5Y Cells via Enhancing Autophagy

## TL;DR

P-Hydroxybenzaldehyde from Gastrodia elata reduces signs of cellular aging in human cells by boosting autophagy.

## Contribution

This study identifies P-HBA as a novel compound from Gastrodia elata that mitigates cellular senescence via autophagy enhancement.

## Key findings

- TME and P-HBA reduce hydroxyurea-induced DNA damage and SA-β-Gal activity in SH-SY5Y cells.
- P-HBA's anti-senescent effect is diminished by the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine.
- P-HBA enhances autophagy to counteract cellular senescence.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: The rhizome of Gastrodia elata Blume (Tianma) is a functional food with medicinal value in China, used to improve the health of the central nervous system and reported to exhibit anti-cellular senescent activity. P-hydroxybenzaldehyde (P-HBA) is a key aromatic compound isolated from Tianma; however, its potential to mitigate cellular senescence remains unclear. Methods: We employed ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the chemical characterization of Tianma extract. Cell viability assay, senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) assay, and immunofluorescence staining and autophagy analysis were used to evaluate the anti-senescent activity of P-HBA and other Tianma components. Results: Our findings demonstrate that Tianma methanol extract (TME) and P-HBA significantly reduce cellular senescent inducer hydroxyurea (HU)-induced DNA damage, SA-β-Gal activity increase, and autophagic dysfunction in human SH-SY5Y cells. Notably, an autophagy inhibitor, chloroquine, can reduce anti-cellular senescent activity of P-HBA. Conclusions: These results suggest that P-HBA exhibits the effect of reducing cellular senescent phenotypes, and its effect is achieved by enhancing autophagy.