Lifespan Extension and Increased Resistance to Environmental Stressors Induced by 5-Hydroxy-4-phenylfuran-2(5H)-one in Caenorhabditis elegans

This study investigated whether 5-hydroxy-4-phenylfuran-2(5H)-one (FG1), a bioactive compound derived from aromatic vinegar, exerts anti-ageing effects in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. FG1 treatment significantly extended both mean and maximum lifespan and preserved locomotor activity during ageing. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that FG1 upregulated genes associated with detoxification, glutathione metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and longevity-regulating pathways. Gene ontology and pathway analyses suggested activation of antioxidant and xenobiotic defence systems. FG1 significantly extended lifespan in wild-type worms, whereas no statistically significant lifespan extension was detected in SKN-1-deficient worms, suggesting a possible involvement of SKN-1 signalling in the lifespan-extending effect of FG1. FG1 also reduced lipofuscin and hydrogen peroxide accumulation in vivo and enhanced resistance to heat- and paraquat-induced oxidative stress. Overall, these findings suggest that the effects of FG1 on longevity and stress resistance are associated with changes in antioxidant and detoxification responses, although the contribution of SKN-1 requires further investigation.