Black Tea Aqueous Extract Extends Yeast Longevity via Antioxidant Gene Activation: Transcriptomic Analysis of Anti-Aging Mechanisms.

Although tea polyphenols have antiaging potential, the molecular interplay between black tea components and cellular longevity remains unclear. This study has pioneered a dual approach combining <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> lifespan assays with comprehensive transcriptomics to dissect how black tea aqueous extract (BTAE) extends the chronological lifespan (CLS). Remarkably, BTAE induced a dose-dependent lifespan extension (34.6% maximum at 40 μg/mL), coupled with a 62% reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and enhanced superoxide dismutase/catalase/ascorbate peroxidase (SOD/CAT/APX) enzyme activities-hallmarks of antioxidant system activation. Transcriptomic profiling revealed the action mechanism of BTAE: (1) upregulation of oxidative defense arsenals (<i>SOD1</i>/<i>2</i>, <i>CTA1</i>, and <i>CTT1</i>) and mitochondrial efficiency genes (<i>COX10</i>), and (2) strategic downregulation of apoptosis triggers (<i>NMA111</i> and <i>AIF1</i>) and aging accelerators (<i>MTH1</i> and <i>HSPs</i>). Additionally, we have identified novel targets including the <i>OLE1</i>-mediated membrane protection pathway and <i>IRE1</i>-dependent proteostatic regulation as key longevity switches. These findings establish BTAE as a multi-target anti-aging modulator and offer a roadmap for translating yeast discovery into mammalian aging interventions.