This study investigated the effects of baicalein, a flavonoid compound derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, on lifespan and healthspan using the Caenorhabditis elegans model. Experimental results demonstrated that baicalein intervention significantly extended the lifespan of nematodes while simultaneously improving multiple indicators of healthy aging, including enhanced locomotor activity, increased resistance to oxidative stress, and reduced accumulation of age-associated lipofuscin. Mechanistic analyses revealed that baicalein suppresses the DAF-2–mediated insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway, promotes the nuclear translocation of the key transcription factor DAF-16, and subsequently upregulates the expression of the antioxidant gene sod-3. These findings suggest that baicalein may extend lifespan and promote healthy aging through coordinated regulation of the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway.
In contemporary society, as global population aging accelerates, the pursuit of healthspan is no longer limited to achieving longevity alone, but increasingly emphasizes “aging with vitality.” The anti-aging market is expanding at an unprecedented rate and is projected to reach a scale of hundreds of billions of dollars globally by 2025, encompassing dietary supplements, skincare products, and pharmaceutical research and development. Against this backdrop, the identification of safe and effective anti-aging compounds from traditional natural products has become a major focus of scientific research.
DOI: 10.1002/mco2.70543
Scutellaria baicalensis, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a long history of use, has attracted considerable attention due to the biological activities of its active constituent baicalein, which is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. However, whether baicalein can transcend the concept of merely “delaying aging” to exert effects on overall organismal lifespan and health status remains unclear.
A recent study employing Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism has shed light on the potential of baicalein to extend lifespan and improve health-related parameters, providing encouraging scientific evidence for the innovative development of anti-aging supplements. Baicalein, derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, is a flavonoid compound with diverse biological activities, including notable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Nevertheless, its comprehensive impact on lifespan and healthspan has not yet been fully elucidated.
In December 2025, a research team from Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, published an article entitled “Baicalein Enhances Longevity and Healthspan of C. elegans Through the Insulin/IGF-1 Signaling Pathway” in the journal MedComm. This study reported that baicalein significantly extends the lifespan of C. elegans and delays the progression of aging-associated phenotypic changes.
Effects of Baicalein on Lifespan, Health Indicators, and Underlying Mechanisms
In this study, Caenorhabditis elegans was used to investigate the effects of baicalein on lifespan and health-related biomarkers. Specifically, nematodes were treated with baicalein, and its effects on lifespan, locomotor activity, lipofuscin accumulation, and resistance to oxidative stress were evaluated.
The results demonstrated that baicalein significantly extended lifespan and improved multiple health indicators, including enhanced motor function, increased resistance to oxidative stress, and reduced accumulation of lipofuscin.
From a mechanistic perspective, baicalein suppressed the DAF-2–mediated insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway and promoted the nuclear translocation of DAF-16, a key transcription factor associated with longevity. In addition, baicalein upregulated the expression of the sod-3 gene, which is closely associated with enhanced stress tolerance and lifespan extension.
Overall, these findings elucidate the role of baicalein in promoting lifespan and healthspan in C. elegans through modulation of insulin/IGF-1 signaling. Future studies are warranted to explore the applicability of baicalein in human aging, thereby paving the way for the development of innovative anti-aging dietary supplement formulations.
Conclusion
This study confirms that baicalein significantly extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans and enhances healthspan, as evidenced by improved locomotor function, increased resistance to oxidative stress, and reduced accumulation of age-related pigments. The underlying mechanism is associated with suppression of the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway and activation of DAF-16 and its downstream antioxidant gene sod-3. These findings not only provide new mechanistic insights into the anti-aging effects of baicalein but also establish an experimental foundation for the further development of baicalein-based anti-aging nutritional supplements. Future research, particularly studies involving mammalian models and human clinical trials, is still required to evaluate the applicability and safety of baicalein in complex biological systems and to facilitate its translational application in the field of healthy aging.
References
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Baicalein Enhances Longevity and Healthspan of C. elegans Through the Insulin/IGF-1 Signaling Pathway. MedComm.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mco2.70543