Abstract: Objective: We used Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism to study the anti-aging effect of purple sweet potato extract (PSPE) and to elucidate its possible mechanism. Methods: C. elegans were fed with NGM culture medium containing different concentrations (70, 140, 280 μg/mL) of PSPE, and the effect of PSPE on the lifespan, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, the expression of related genes and the resistance to acute oxidative stress were determined. Results: PSPE could markedly prolong the lifespan of C. elegans, increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), up-regulated the gene expression levels of daf-16, ctl-1, sod-3 and sir-2.1, and down-regulated the expression levels of age-1 and daf-2. At the same time, it could extend the survival time under H2O2, juglone and paraquat stress. Conclusion: PSPE could slow down the aging process of C. elegans, increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes, promote the expression of antioxidant genes, and enhanced the resistance to oxidative stress induced by H2O2, juglone or paraquat.

Key words: Caenorhabditis elegans, purple sweet potato extract, oxidative stress, antioxidant, aging