The results suggest that ZIKV particle can be detected in the nucleoplasmic compartment of the infected SH-SY5Y cells beside the known viral replicating cytoplasmic area. Hence, SH-SY5Y cells can be used as an in vitro adult human neuronal cell-based model, for further elucidating the ZIKV biology, and highlight other possible significance of Zika virus distribution through nuclear localization, which may correlate to the neuropathological defects in ZIKV-infected adult humans.

Growing rates of fungal infections and increasing resistance against standard antifungal drugs can cause serious health problems. There is, therefore, increasing interest in the potential use of medicinal plants as novel antifungal agents. This study investigates the antifungal properties of crude plant extracts from ten medicinal plant species. Crude samples were extracted using the hot water extraction process. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and diameter zone of inhibition were determined in each extract against ten fungal strains, and fluconazole was used as a positive control. The cytotoxicity of crude extracts on in vitro human skin fibroblast (HSF) cell models was determined by MTT assay. Of the ten crude extracts, Psidium guajava L. exhibited the highest antifungal activity, diameter zone of inhibition, and percentage HSF cell viability. Although all extracts exhibited antifungal activity, Psidium guajava L. had the greatest potential for developing antifungal treatments.

Saponins are secondary metabolite compounds that can be found in sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea spp.). However, little is known about how saponin‐rich extracts from Holothuria leucospilota can delay and prolong the lifespan of the whole organism. In this study, anti‐aging effects of H. leucospilota extracts were studied on Caenorhabditis elegans. NMR analysis revealed that body wall n‐butanol‐extract of H. leucospilota (BW‐BU) is saponin‐rich. BW‐BU extracts exhibited antioxidant activities by 2,2ʹ‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl assay (EC50 = 10.23 ± 0.12 mg/ml) and 2,2ʹ‐azino‐bis‐3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid assay (EC50 = 3.91 ± 0.04 mg/ml). BW‐BU extracts increased lifespan of L4 and L1 C. elegans (5.92% and 15.76%, respectively), which also increased worm growth, stress resistance, and reduced biomarkers for aging. BW‐BU extracts activated DAF‐16 nuclear localization and upregulated daf‐16 and DAF‐16 target genes expression. Taken together, this study revealed the evidences on anti‐aging activities of saponin‐rich extracts from H. leucospilota, which can extend lifespan of C. elegans via daf‐16. Practical applications In recent years, age‐associated chronic diseases have had a significant impact on quality of life. Many natural compounds exhibit anti‐aging activities, especially in sea cucumber, H. leucospilota. Our results indicated that H. leucospilota is good for health. Extracts from H. leucospilota contain a bioactive compound that can be potentially used to promote longevity and disease prevention in aging.

Silk sericin is a natural macromolecular protein derived from the silkworm, Bombyx mori. It is also a by-product of silk-making. From previous reports, many cosmeceuticals and other cosmetic products have been developed with silk sericin. This study aimed to investigate an anti-aging property of silk sericin by in-vitro characterization using fibroblast cell culture model. The results showed that silk sericin can stimulate collagen type I synthesis, suppress the regulation of nitrite, which nitrite may induces oxidative stress, and up-regulate the expression of b-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl-2) to inhibit cell apoptosis, without altering fibroblast growth kinetics or cellular ultrastructure. Sericin anti-aging properties were comparable to vitamin C, except for oxidative stress, where silk sericin was superior. The results suggested that silk sericin possesses anti-aging properties that could be usefully incorporated into high-quality cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and food supplements.

Background Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening infection is primarily caused by two sibling species Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. Several virulence-related factors of these cryptococci have been widely investigated in Caenorhabditis elegans, representing a facile in vivo model of host–pathogen interaction. While recent studies elucidated cryptococcal virulence factors, intrinsic host factors that affect susceptibility to infections by cryptococci remain unclear and poorly investigated. Results Here, we showed that defects in C. elegans insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling (IIS) pathway influenced animal lifespan and mechanisms of host resistance in cryptococcal infections, which required the activation of aging regulator DAF-16/Forkhead box O transcription factor. Moreover, accumulation of lipofuscin, DAF-16 nuclear localization, and expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD-3) were elevated in C. elegans due to host defenses during cryptococcal infections. Conclusion The present study demonstrated the relationship between longevity and immunity, which may provide a possibility for novel therapeutic intervention to improve host resistance against cryptococcal infections.