Antioxidant and Longevity Properties activity of ethyl acetate fraction of Cornus officinalis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) induce cell death and are associated with the development of cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, antioxidants that suppress ROS are considered essential. In this study, the polyphenol and flavonoid contents of the ethanol extract of Cornus officinalis and its solvent fractions were determined, and their radical scavenging activities were evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and xanthine-derived superoxide assays. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the strongest scavenging activity. In Caenorhabditis elegans, this fraction dose-dependently enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased resistance to oxidative stress, and prolonged lifespan. It also improved thermotolerance and significantly upregulated the expression of SOD-3::GFP in the transgenic strain CF1553. These findings suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of C. officinalis exerts potent antioxidant effects and contributes to stress resistance and longevity in C. elegans.