Geroprotective and Anti-Oxidant Effects of an Amino Acid-Based Sweetener in C. elegans model

Abstract

Background. The global increase in metabolic diseases demands the development of safe sugar substitutes that provide health benefits beyond mere calorie reduction. Diets high in sugar are a known risk factor for pathophysiological conditions such as insulin resistance and obesity. Aim. This study aimed to evaluate the pathophysiological effects of a novel sweetener, formulated with sweet proteinogenic amino acids and a prebiotic, on the lifespan and oxidative stress resistance in the nematodes model organism. Methods. Wild-type C. elegans N2 nematodes were cultivated in a standard liquid medium within 96-well plates and exposed to a range of concentrations of the novel sweetener, sucrose, stevia, and metformin. Lifespan and resistance to paraquat-induced oxidative stress (5 mM) were monitored via survival counts. Results. The novel sweetener at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL significantly increased the median lifespan of C. elegans by 41% (from 17 to 24 days). By day 26, survival in the sweetener group was 65.9%, compared to only 37.2% in the sucrose group. Under oxidative stress, the sweetener at 1 mg/ml demonstrated the highest survival rate (85.7%), exceeding that of the control, stevia, sucrose, and metformin. Conclusion. The developed sweetener exhibits significant geroprotective and antioxidant effect in C. elegans, outperforming common sweeteners and rivalling the efficacy of metformin. Its benefits are likely attributable to the synergistic action of its components on pathways integral to aging and metabolic pathophysiology.