[
International Worm Meeting,
2019]
Polyphenols are a class of phytochemicals, abundant in many food plants including tea, cocoa, fruits and sugarcane. Claims of health benefits of consumption of polyphenols in humans include reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and increased lifespan, due to their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, limited evidence exists on the long-term health effects of consumption of polyphenols. The aims of the present study were to investigate the effects of a sugarcane polyphenol extract Polynol TM on growth, fertility and lifespan of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods: Wild-type Bristol N2 were cultured in an axenic defined medium encapsulated into liposomes and fed to the worms in a nanoparticle delivery system. Sugarcane polyphenol extract was incorporated into liposomes at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mg /ml. Growth rate, viable egg count and lifespan in each treatment were measured. Results: For the first 24h, the worm growth rate was reduced in the presence of Polynol TM in a dose dependent manner. However, significantly higher growth rates were observed at 48h at all concentrations of Polynol TM . At 72h, higher growth rate was observed at 3, 4, and 5mg/ml Polynol TM . Fertility, measured as viable offspring, was similar at all concentrations of Polynol TM except a significantly higher fertility at 2 mg/ml. Polynol TM extended the lifespan (28 to 52%) of C. elegans at all dosages tested. Conclusion: Sugarcane polyphenols increase overall growth rate, improve fertility and extend lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans.