Quercetin is a flavonoid widely found in food and traditional
herbs.
In this study, we evaluated the anti-aging effects of quercetin onSimocephalus vetulus(S. vetulus) by assessing lifespan and growth parameters and analyzed the differentially
expressed proteins and crucial pathways associated with quercetin
activity using proteomics. The results demonstrated that, at a concentration
of 1 mg/L, quercetin significantly prolonged the average and maximal
lifespans ofS. vetulusand increased
the net reproduction rate slightly. The proteomics-based analysis
revealed 156 differently expressed proteins, with 84 being significantly
upregulated and 72 significantly downregulated. The protein functions
were identified as being associated with glycometabolism, energy metabolism,
and sphingolipid metabolism pathways, and the key enzyme activity
and related gene expression, such that ofAMPK, supported
the importance of these pathways in the anti-aging activity of quercetin.
In addition, quercetin was found to regulate the anti-aging-related
proteins Lamin A and Klotho directly. Our results increased the understanding
of quercetin’s anti-aging effects.