Researchers from Jeonbuk and Chung-Ang Universities in South Korea reported that a B-type compound found in coconut nectar, known as nectarine B, may influence the aging process in fruit flies. The study results were published in Aging, a peer-reviewed journal that covers lifespan research and related biology. The team explored how dietary components could modify longevity and healthspan in a well-established invertebrate model, providing a basis for future work on aging and metabolic pathways.
In the experimental design, fruit flies were assigned to five distinct groups to evaluate the impact of specific dietary additions on lifespan and health markers. The first group received a standard cornmeal-based diet supplemented with 50 ml of rapamycin, a compound used in medical settings to suppress the immune response during organ transplantation. The second group received 200 ml of rapamycin. The third group was fed 50 ml of a distinct compound called NecB, or Nectandrin B, while the fourth group received 200 ml of NecB. The final group continued on the baseline corn flour diet without any added bioactive compounds. This arrangement allowed the researchers to isolate the effects of NecB and rapamycin on aging-related parameters in the insects.
NecB, short for Nectandrin B, is a bioactive phenolic component present in coconuts. Rapamycin is a well-known pharmacological agent used to reduce organ rejection risk after transplantation, and researchers have long debated its possible influence on lifespan extension. In the context of this study, NecB was investigated for its potential to modulate aging processes at the cellular and organismal levels, including metabolic regulation, stress resistance, and mitochondrial function, which are all linked to improved healthspan in model organisms.
The results showed that the NecB-200 group exhibited the most pronounced increase in lifespan among both sexes. Female fruit flies reached about 76 days, while males lived approximately 74 days. In comparison, the control group saw females living around 65 days and males about 61 days. The NecB treatments not only influenced longevity but also appeared to support healthier aging, with observations suggesting improvements in musculoskeletal performance and a slower progression of age-related visual impairment and neurodegeneration in the aging insects. These healthspan indicators are important because they complement lifespan data and help researchers understand how dietary compounds affect aging trajectories beyond mere longevity.
Researchers emphasize that these findings encourage further investigation into nectarine B as a potential lead in developing strategies to extend lifespan and mitigate age-related physiological changes in humans. While the fruit fly model provides essential insights into conserved aging pathways, additional work involving mammalian systems and clinical translational research would be needed to determine the relevance to human aging and the safety profile of nectarine B for long-term use.
In closing, the study adds to a growing body of literature on natural bioactive compounds and their role in aging biology. The results hint at the possibility of complementary interventions that target aging at multiple biological levels, including metabolic regulation, cellular stress responses, and neural health. Overall, nectarine B emerges as a promising molecule worthy of deeper exploration within the broader pursuit of promoting healthier aging across species.