Annurca apple demonstrates positive effects on aging and the prevention of degenerative disease

A study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine looked at the impact of apples on aging. In particular, researchers from the Sapienza University of Rome and the University of Naples Federico II investigated the effects of Annurca apple extracts using a simple eukaryotic model.

• Researchers selected the Mela Annurca Campana cultivar because of its higher concentration of phenolic compounds compared to other apples. To assess the effects of these compounds, the team made use of the unicellular yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
• Annurca extracts were obtained and used to produce dietary supplements which contained 63 percent procyanidin and 20 percent phloridzin with additional maltodextrins.
• The extracts were subjected to a yeast extract peptone dextrose agar assay for 24 hours to assess its anti-aging effects. In addition, the cell growth rate of the extracts was tested using a viability spot assay.
• Following this, the researchers examined hydrogen peroxide sensitivity by exposing cells to different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide that were kept at 28 C for four hours.
• The final experiment involved adding dihydrorhodamine 123 to the cell cultures then viewing them under a fluorescent microscope. Evaluation of mitochondrial morphology was done by transforming the cells with plasmid pYX232-mtGFP.
• Cells that had not been treated with Mela Annurca Campana extract underwent a complete loss of viability after seven days. By contrast, the 10 mg/mL dose prevented cell death by a noticeable margin.
• Furthermore, the viability spot assay revealed the same dose significantly boosted cell survival rate up to the third dilution and had the best protective effect against hydrogen peroxide. When it came to recovering mitochondrial integrity, the 10 mg/mL dose also reduced the percentage of fragmented mitochondria.

Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that apple extracts have the potential to prolong cellular lifespan and slow down aging.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

For more studies on the health benefits of apples, feel free to go to FoodScience.news today.

Journal reference:

Stirpe M, Palermo V, Bianchi MM, Silvestri R, Falcone C, Tenore G, Novellino E, Mazzoni C. ANNURCA APPLE (M. PUMILA MILLER CV ANNURCA) EXTRACTS ACT AGAINST STRESS AND AGEING IN S. CEREVISIAE YEAST CELLS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 5 April 2017;17(200). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1666-7