Chinese liquor extract attenuates oxidative damage in HepG2 cells and extends lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract Chinese liquor is obtained from various grains by fermentation and complex processes. Chinese liquor contains complex ingredients. However, the low contents and presence of ethanol restricted the flavor substances function study. In current study, a flavor substance, homofuraneol (HOMO) was isolated from the Chinese liquor and the potency against H2O2‐induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells and lifespan‐extending ability in Caenorhabditis elegans were explored. Results indicated that HOMO increased the HepG2 cells cytoactive by eliminating excessive intracellular free radicals, upregulating antioxidant enzyme activity and inhibiting the phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway. Further study revealed that HOMO extended the lifespan of N2 nematodes under normal and oxidative stress conditions. Moreover, RT‐PCR results showed that paraquat activated the expression of PMK‐1 and SKN‐1 was significantly regulated by HOMO. Of note, our results indicated that HOMO recovered the redox states of HepG2 cells by targeting MAPKs and upregulating the stress resistance of nematodes by modulating the expression of stress‐responsive genes, such as DAF‐16.