Natural Deep Eutectic Extracts of Propolis, Sideritis scardica, and Plantago major Reveal Potential Antiageing Activity during Yeast Chronological Lifespan

What if the secret to slowing aging was hidden in a beehive and a couple of weeds? New research suggests that eco-friendly solvents made from plants can unlock anti-aging powers in natural extracts.

In the quest for a greener planet, scientists are turning to an unlikely hero: Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents, or NADES. These solvents, made from plant metabolites, are not only nontoxic and biodegradable but also surprisingly good at boosting the biological power of the extracts they produce. In a new study, researchers tested NADES extracts from propolis, Sideritis scardica, and Plantago major—three natural ingredients long used in traditional medicine.

The team used a NADES solvent called CiAPD14 to create these extracts, then tested their anti-aging effects on yeast cells. Specifically, they monitored the chronological lifespan of four Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains: one wild type and three chromatin mutants known to age prematurely. The results were promising: the extracts helped the mutant cells grow better, improved their cell cycle, and influenced stress-responsive genes—all signs of counteracting premature aging.

What's more, the researchers ranked the anti-aging activity of each extract based on how strongly it affected the cells. While this is early-stage work, the findings highlight NADES as a sustainable alternative to traditional organic solvents, with the added bonus of enhancing bioactivity. The next time you see a bee buzzing or a plantain leaf on the ground, remember: nature might already hold the key to aging more gracefully.

Key Points

• NADES are green solvents that boost bioactivity.
• Extracts from propolis, Sideritis, and Plantago show antiaging.
• They improve growth and stress genes in aging yeast mutants.