Physiological effects of pear ( Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta ) leaf extract on Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

The leaves of Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta) are rich in polyphenols, but are mostly discarded as agricultural waste. In this study, we investigated the effects of pear leaf extract (PLE) on the lifespan and stress resistance of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. PLE significantly extended the lifespan of wild-type N2 worms. Mechanistic analyses using mutant strains and transgenic reporters revealed that PLE-induced lifespan extension requires SIR-2.1 and partially involves the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway via DAF-16. Furthermore, PLE enhances oxidative stress resistance via the SKN-1 pathway. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that chlorogenic acid, a major polyphenol in PLE, was directly taken up by nematodes. These findings suggest that the valorization of pear leaves as a functional dietary source could promote health span and mitigate age-related decline.