Open AccessRehmannia glutinosa exhibits anti‐aging effect through maintaining the quiescence and decreasing the senescence of hematopoietic stem cells
Author(s) -
Bai Lin,
Shi Guiying,
Yang Yajun,
Chen Wei,
Zhang Lianfeng,
Qin Chuan
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
animal models and experimental medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2576-2095
DOI - 10.1002/ame2.12034
Subject(s) - rehmannia glutinosa , senescence , clonogenic assay , haematopoiesis , biology , stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , downregulation and upregulation , astragalus , immunology , apoptosis , biochemistry , medicine , traditional chinese medicine , pathology , gene , alternative medicine
Background The time‐related decline in regenerative capacity and organ homeostasis is a major feature of aging. Rehmannia glutinosa and Astragalus membranaceus have been used as traditional Chinese herbal medicines for enhanced immunity and prolonged life. However, the mechanism by which this herbal medicine slows aging is unknown. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of the herbal anti‐aging effect. Methods Mice were fed diets supplemented with R. glutinosa or A. membranaceus for 10 months; the control group was fed a standard diet. The phenotypes were evaluated using a grading score system and survival analysis. The percentages of the senescence phenotypes of hematopoietic stem cells ( HSC s) were determined by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analysis. The function and the mechanism of HSC s were analyzed by clonogenic assay and the real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Results The anti‐aging effect of R. glutinosa is due to the enhanced function of HSC s. Mice fed with R. glutinosa displayed characteristics of a slowed aging process, including decreased senescence and increased rate of survival. Flow cytometry analysis showed decreased numbers of Lin – Sca1 + c‐kit – ( LSK ) cells, long‐term HSC s ( LT ‐ HSC s) and short‐term HSC s ( ST ‐ HSC s) in the R. glutinosa group. In vitro, clonogenic assays showed increased self‐renewal ability of LT ‐ HSC s from the R. glutinosa group as well as maintaining LSK quiescence through upregulated p18 expression. The R. glutinosa group also showed decreased reactive oxygen species levels and the percentage of β‐gal + cells through downregulation of the cellular senescence‐associated protein p53 and p16. Conclusion Rehmannia glutinosa exerts anti‐aging effects by maintaining the quiescence and decreasing the senescence of HSC s.