3,6'-Disinapoyl Sucrose from <i>Polygalae Radix</i> Exerts Anti-Aging Effects via Modification of Telomeres, SIRT1/p53/p21 Pathway, Oxidative Stress and Autophagy.

Traditional Chinese medicine plays an important role in human health, but due to the complexity of its active fraction, its therapeutic mechanism still needs further clarification. <i>Polygalae Radix</i> is one of the traditional Chinese medicines, which was recorded in <i>Shennong Classic of Materia Medica</i> with the effect of prolonging life. In the present study, we isolated a small molecule compound with anti-aging effects, 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose (DISS), from <i>Polygalae Radix</i> under the guidance of the replicative lifespan assay of K6001 yeast strain. It extended the lifespan of yeast and alleviated etoposide-induced aging in 3T3 cells. Furthermore, this compound increased the telomerase activity and the length of telomeres, and targeted the SIRT1 signaling pathway, respectively. In addition, it improved the survival ability of yeast under oxidative stress conditions, decreased ROS and MDA levels, and increased the activity of SOD, CAT and GPx enzymes. Moreover, DISS enhanced autophagic flux, as demonstrated by assay of the YOM38-GFP-ATG8 yeast strain. In conclusion, DISS from <i>Polygalae Radix</i> exerts anti-aging effects by protecting telomeres, regulating the SIRT1/p53/p21 signaling pathway, mitigating oxidative stress and modulating autophagy(definition). Thus, this study provides scientific evidence for the use of <i>Polygalae Radix</i> as an anti-aging herb.