Investigation of Some Anti-Aging Effects of Pterostilbene in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Aging can be defined as a progressive loss of physiological integrity and function, ultimately leading to death. To study the molecular mechanisms affected by the aging process, pterostilbene, a polyphenol found in blueberries, was used. It is a dimethylated analog of resveratrol with higher lipophilicity and lower toxicity compared to resveratrol. Although its biological effects have been studied in other models, the impact of this substance on aging has not been widely examined. In this study, we found that pterostilbene extends the chronological lifespan of S. pombe. To assess how pterostilbene affects glucose consumption and its relationship to cell proliferation, glucose utilization rates were measured, and the mid-exponential growth phase was monitored. While no significant difference in carbohydrate consumption was observed, cell proliferation was notably delayed in the treated group. Since pterostilbene has shown antioxidant capacity in several studies, we measured intracellular lipid peroxidation and found that pterostilbene treatment decreased the malondialdehyde levels. Furthermore, according to qPCR results, pterostilbene may inhibit the TOR pathway, suppressing methionine metabolism and inducing autophagy. This study highlights the lifespan-extending and antioxidant effects of pterostilbene in S. pombe, while uncovering molecular changes in autophagy, methionine metabolism, and TOR signaling. These observations enhance our knowledge of how pterostilbene functions.