Black tea theaflavins extend the lifespan of fruit flies.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the effect of black tea extract (BTE), containing theaflavins, on the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster and its potential mechanisms involving oxidative stress-related genes.
Results Summary
BTE treatment significantly extended the mean lifespan of fruit flies from 51 to 56 days and improved survival under oxidative stress conditions, primarily through increased expression of SOD1 and CAT genes. However, it had minimal effects on SOD2 and MTH gene expression.
Population
Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies), including Oregon-R wild type and SOD(n108) or Cat(n1) mutants.
Effective Dosage
10 mg/ml BTE in diet.
Duration
Lifespan assessment (up to 56 days for control, extended with BTE).
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black tea extract (BTE) | increase | mean lifespan | Drosophila melanogaster | from 51 to 56 days | significantly extended | #1 |
Black tea extract (BTE) | increase | Gene expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD1 and SOD2), catalase (CAT), and methuselah (MTH) | young fruit flies | - | characterized by an increase in young and then a decrease in aged fruit flies | #2 |
Black tea extract (BTE) | decrease | Gene expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD1 and SOD2), catalase (CAT), and methuselah (MTH) | aged fruit flies | - | characterized by an increase in young and then a decrease in aged fruit flies | #3 |
Black tea extract (BTE) | increase | SOD1 and CAT | BTE-treated group | - | Higher gene expression | #4 |
Black tea extract (BTE) | no change | expression of SOD2 and MTH genes | - | - | exerted a minimal effect | #5 |
Dietary fat | decrease | maximum lifespan | - | to 15 days | could induce oxidative stress and shorten | #6 |
addition of 10mg/ml BTE into diet | increase | maximum lifespan | - | to 28 days | extended | #7 |
Black tea extract (BTE) | increase | survival time | Oregon-R wild type flies | - | prolonged the survival time | #8 |
Black tea extract (BTE) | no change | survival time | SOD(n108) or Cat(n1) mutants | - | prolonged the survival time only for Oregon-R wild type flies but not for SOD(n108) or Cat(n1) mutants | #9 |
Black tea extract (BTE) is a mixture of epicatechins and theaflavins. The present study investigated the effect of BTE on the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster. Results showed the mean lifespan was significantly extended from 51 to 56days upon BTE treatment. Gene expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD1 and SOD2), catalase (CAT), and methuselah (MTH) was characterized by an increase in young and then a decrease in aged fruit flies. Higher gene expression of SOD1 and CAT was observed in the BTE-treated group than the control flies. However, BTE exerted a minimal effect on the expression of SOD2 and MTH genes. Dietary fat could induce oxidative stress and shorten the maximum lifespan to 15days, while addition of 10mg/ml BTE into diet extended it to 28days. Paraquat and H(2)O(2) challenge tests demonstrated that BTE prolonged the survival time only for Oregon-R wild type flies but not for SOD(n108) or Cat(n1) mutants. This suggests that the lifespan-prolonging activity of BTE is mediated at least in part through SOD and CAT.