Geroprotective potential of Thymus vulgaris L. callus culture and its metabolites

Healthy aging and active longevity need an integrated approach to a healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition can effectively prevent the development of chronic diseases that lead to premature aging. Therefore, food scientists are searching for new bioactive substances with geroprotective potential to be introduced into functional food products and dietary supplements. We aimed to study the bioactivity of the Thymus vulgaris L. callus culture extract and its metabolites as potential geroprotectors. We studied a hydroalcoholic extract of the T. vulgaris callus culture (70% ethanol) and its individual bioactive substances (thymol, oleanolic and ursolic acids), with Caenorhabditis elegans used as a model organism. IR spectroscopy and highperformance liquid chromatography were employed to analyze the effect of the extract and its metabolites on the growth of C. elegans larvae, as well as on the nematodes’ lifespan and resistance to oxidative and thermal stress. The extract of the T. vulgaris callus culture increased the length and surface area of the nematode body, producing an anabolic effect. In a 100-fold dilution, the extract enhanced the survival and stress resistance of the nematodes. Thymol, oleanolic and ursolic acids were obtained from the extract at 95% purification. Thymol completely inhibited the growth of nematode larvae, with no offspring produced from the eggs. At 10 μM, thymol increased the survival of the nematodes by a factor of 1.8 and also improved their stress resistance. In the presence of oleanolic acid (10 and 50 μM), some nematodes laid eggs; oleanolic acid increased the nematode lifespan be a factor of 1.9. Oleanolic acid (200 and 100 μM) and ursolic acid (50 and 100 μM) increased the survival of the nematodes exposed to thermal stress compared to the control. The extract of the T. vulgaris callus culture and its metabolites (thymol, oleanolic and ursolic acids) have geroprotective potential for use in food supplementation. However, there is a need for further research.