Anti-aging effect of sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) hydrolysate on fruit flies and d-galactose-induced aging mice

The search for treatment of aging and age-related diseases is a public health issue. Sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) hydrolysate (CFH) prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis and purified by ultrafiltration was examined for its peptide profile and ability to prevent and/or delay aging in fruit flies and age-related neurodegenerative disorders in d-galactose-induced aging mice. CFH contained peptides with low molecular weights (mainly < 3 kDa), Ala, Val and Leu at the N-terminal end and aromatic/hydrophobic/acidic amino acids in sequence. We provided the first in vivo evidence that CFH significantly prolonged the lifespan of fruit flies and ameliorated learning and memory deficits of d-galactose-induced aging mice. The mechanism underlying its protective effect might be associated with the ability to up-regulate Klotho expression, increase the activities of SOD and GSH-Px, inhibit lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, and down-regulate acetylcholinesterase activity. CFH could be a health-promoting ingredient in coping with aging and age-related diseases.