Ayurvedic nutraceutical, Chyawanprash, enhances longevity and stress resilience via mitochondrial and muscular health in C. elegans model of ageing.

Chyawanprash is an ancient Ayurvedic superfood described for its antioxidant, anti-ageing and immunity-boosting properties. Prolonged exposure to environmental stressors such as extreme heat, air pollution and toxins could lead to several diseases by triggering oxidative stress and inflammation. These stress response pathways, conserved in humans and C. elegans, play crucial roles in the progression of neurological and metabolic diseases. Present study examines the role of the ancient Ayurvedic superfood, Patanjali Special Chyawanprash (PSCP), on heat stress-induced behavioural and molecular damages, using C. elegans as the model organism. Phytochemical analysis of PSCP by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed the presence of several antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytometabolites like gallic acid, corilagin, chebulagic acid, 5-HMF, cinnamic acid, eugenol, and ellagic acid. PSCP supplementation in C. elegans prevented the production of Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) and heat stress-induced alterations in locomotory and feeding behaviours. Nuclear Localization of DAF-16, expression of SOD-3::GFP and MYO-3::GFP, along with sarcomeric F-actin arrangement in heat-stressed C. elegans, was analyzed using fluorescence microscopy. PSCP supplementation along with the food to the heat-stressed C. elegans resulted in ~2-fold increase in mitochondrial membrane potential and in MYO-3::GFP expression. Additionally, PSCP exhibited a strong antioxidant profile in heat-stressed worms, indicated by normalized ROS, GSH levels and SOD-3 activity. mRNA levels of thermo-tolerance genes like hsf-1 and heat-shock proteins: hsp-70, hsp-16.2 and hsp-12.6 in heat-stressed C. elegans were normalized by PSCP treatment. PSCP also promoted longevity and prevented heat stress-induced lifespan reduction in C. elegans. Overall, these findings indicate that Patanjali Special Chyawanprash (PSCP) could serve as an important food supplement for enhancing stress resistance in organisms including humans, potentially benefiting longevity and reducing disease susceptibility.