Fruit Extracts Upregulate Telomerase Activity and Ameliorate Cell Replicative Senescence

Anti-aging functional foods benefit the elderly. Telomeres are chromosomal ends that maintain genome stability extended by telomerase catalytic subunit TERT. Due to the end-replication problem, telomeres shorten after each cell cycle without telomerase in most human cells, and eventually the cell enters the senescence stage. Natural products can attenuate the aging process by increasing telomerase activity, such as TA-65. However, TA-65 is expensive. Other Chinese natural products may achieve comparable effects. Here, we found that fruit extracts effectively increase TERT expression and telomerase activity in cultured human mesenchymal stem cells. Both fruit extracts obtained by freeze-drying and spray-drying increased the activity of telomerase. fruit extracts were able to reduce reactive oxygen species levels, enhance superoxide dismutase activity, and reduce DNA damage caused by oxidative stress or radiation. fruit extracts promoted cell proliferation, improved senescent cell morphology, delayed replicative cellular senescence, attenuated cell cycle suppressors, and alleviated the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Transcriptome and metabolic profiling revealed that fruit extracts promote DNA replication and telomere maintenance pathways and decrease triglyceride levels. Overall, we provide a theoretical basis for the application of fruit as an anti-aging product.