Azelaic acid delays aging and prolongs lifespan via resisting oxidation stress mediated by IIS pathway coupling hsf-1 in C. elegans.

Azelaic acid (AzA), an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound from cereals used in food preservatives and cosmetics, was investigated for anti-aging effects in Caenorhabditis elegans. AzA improved locomotive activities and muscle morphology during aging, extended lifespan under both normal and oxidative stress conditions, and reduced paralysis in neurodegenerative models. It decreased reactive oxygen species levels and enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and SOD-3 protein expression. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that AzA differentially regulated oxidative stress-related genes including daf-2, daf-16, skn-1, and hsf-1 under normal and oxidative stress conditions. Mechanistically, the lifespan extension conferred by AzA under oxidative stress was abolished in daf-16(mu86), daf-2(e1370), and hsf-1(sy441) mutants, indicating that these genes are essential for AzA-mediated anti-aging effects. These findings suggest that azelaic acid is a potential anti-aging candidate.