Fuente: PubMed "medicinal and aromatic plants" Biogerontology. 2026 Mar 7;27(2):69. doi: 10.1007/s10522-026-10416-1.ABSTRACTNeurodegenerative diseases are strongly associated with aging and oxidative stress, underscoring the need for natural compounds that promote healthy aging. The mycosporine-like amino acid (MAA) "palythine", a photoprotective metabolite, exhibits promising bioactivity in mitigating age-related decline. Ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280-315 nm) radiation is a major inducer of DNA damage, oxidative stress and apoptosis, all of which accelerate aging. In this study, we investigated the effects of palythine on oxidative stress and cognition using the transgenic, humanized model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Palythine supplementation reduced key biomarkers of aging, including autofluorescence and lipid accumulation, while enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity. Stress resistance assays showed that UV-B exposure significantly reduced survival, whereas palythine improved UV-B resistance and extended longevity. Additionally, palythine preserved neuronal health by maintaining nicotinic acetylcholine receptor function and reducing α-synuclein aggregation, a hallmark of neurodegeneration. Since acetylcholine and dopamine are essential for cognition, behavior and motor function, these findings suggest that palythine enhances systemic health span. Overall, palythine emerges as a potent natural bioactive molecule with antioxidant, neuroprotective and anti-aging properties, supporting its potential as a therapeutic candidate for healthy aging and cognitive resilience.PMID:41793542 | DOI:10.1007/s10522-026-10416-1