Effects of Prunus mahaleb (L.) leaf and seed extracts on Saccharomyces
cerevisiae’s chronological lifespan and evaluation of phytochemical
content
Abstract
The evaluation of yeast ageing is carried out by measuring its
replicative or chronological lifespan. Replicative lifespan is the
number of daughter cells produced by the mother cell before it dies,
whereas chronological lifespan is the length of time a non-dividing
yeast cell survives. Plant-derived natural products have gained
importance in terms of extending lifespan and healthy ageing due to the
bioactive phytochemicals they contain. The purpose of this study was to
investigate the effect of mahaleb leaf and seed extracts on the
chronological lifespan of yeast cells using two different lifespan
approaches and to compare these effects with those of willow bark
extracts. The potential active compounds in plant extracts were
determined with the GC-MS. All extracts from mahaleb leaf and seed
enhanced yeast cells’ chronological lifespans. It is noteworthy that
acetone and water extracts from leaves and seeds extend the lifespan
considerably more than willow extracts. Potential compounds that may
affect the lifespan of yeast cells include coumarin and its derivatives
found in hexane, acetone, and methanol extracts of leaves and seeds;
squalene present in hexane extracts of seeds; phytol found in hexane
extracts of leaves; and octadecenamide present in water extracts of
leaves and seeds of mahaleb.