Identification of Plant Extracts that Inhibit Cellular Senescence in Human Fibroblasts, Endothelial Cells, and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

To identify plant extracts capable of inhibiting cellular senescence, the effects of plant extracts on adriamycin-induced cellular senescence in human fibroblasts, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and vascular smooth muscle cells were investigated. After adriamcyin treatment, the effects of plant extracts on cellular senescence were evaluated by measuring senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity of the cells. Among 799 plant extracts, those from Rhei Rhizoma, Cirsii Radix, and Plantagnis Semen repressed adriamycin-induced cellular senescence in fibroblasts. Extracts of Cinnamomi Cortex and Cinnamomi Cortex Spissus were effective in endothelial cells. Extracts of Euonymi Lignum Suberalatum, Salicis Radicis Cortex, Polygoni aviculari Herba, and Chaenomelis langenariae Radix reduced senescence in vascular smooth muscle cells. These results suggested the effectiveness of plant extracts in reducing cellular senescence of human cells. These plant extracts could be used to develop dietary supplements or cosmetics for modulating tissue aging or aging-associated diseases.