BACKGROUND: Numerous epidemiological studies have found that tea consumption has an anti-aging and preventive effect on age-related diseases. The question of which tea possesses the most potent anti-aging properties and the underlying mechanisms of these effects remains largely obscure.
PURPOSE: To explore which type of tea has the strongest anti-aging activity and its mechanism of action.
METHODS: The Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) longevity and stress tests were used to evaluate the anti-aging activities of six types of tea. Additionally, ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed to compare the differences in anti-aging-related chemical components among these teas. These analyses were conducted to identify the tea with the strongest anti-aging activity and to further explore its underlying molecular mechanisms.
RESULTS: All the extracts of tea (200 μg/mL) prolonged life and enhanced stress resistance. Surprisingly, dark tea (DT) had significant anti-aging efficacy. Furthermore, this study found that anti-aging mechanisms of DT include (a) DT modulated the IGF-1 signaling pathway (IIS), SKN-1 and HSF-1 stress resistance pathway, and the AMPK/SIRT1/FOXO signaling pathway. (b) DT upregulated skn-1 and ftn-1 expression, decreased Felevels, and inhibited ferroptosis. (c) DT preserved the integrity and functionality of mitochondria. 2+
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that DT significantly extended lifespan by enhancing antioxidant capacity, maintaining mitochondrial function and suppressing ferroptosis in C. elegans. These anti-aging effects mediated by multiple mechanisms. Furthermore, the anti-aging properties of DT are partly attributed to its high flavonoid levels.
