Anti-Aging Potential of Crude Methanolic Extract from Cocos nucifera Embryo Using Caenorhabditis elegans as Model Organism

Abstract

Aging is closely associated with oxidative stress, metabolic damage, and the progressive decline of cellular function. Natural plant-based compounds have gained increasing attention as cost-effective and accessible alternatives to commercial anti-aging supplements. Although Cocos nucifera contains phenolic compounds and cytokinins with reported bioactivities, the coconut embryo (buwa) remains understudied, and its potential anti-aging effects have not been fully characterized. This study evaluated the phytochemical components and anti-aging properties of Cocos nucifera embryo methanolic extract (CEME) using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism.  CEME was analyzed for the presence of cytokinins using chromatographic and mass-spectrometric techniques, and its phenolic content was quantified. Wild-type N2 nematodes were treated with varying concentrations of CEME to assess its effects on lifespan, motility, and stress tolerance under heat-induced conditions. To explore underlying mechanisms, expression of HSP-16.2 and nuclear localization of DAF-16/FOXO were examined using transgenic CL2070 and TJ356 strains expressing GFP reporter constructs.  CEME significantly increased the lifespan of C. elegans, with the most pronounced effect observed at 60 mg/mL. Treated nematodes exhibited improved motility in aged worms and demonstrated greater survival under acute thermal stress, indicating enhanced physiological resilience. CEME also induced robust expression of the HSP-16.2 stress reporter and promoted nuclear translocation of DAF-16/FOXO, suggesting activation of conserved stress-response and longevity pathways. These findings imply that the antioxidant constituents of the coconut embryo contribute to its protective and anti-aging effects. This study provides the first integrated evidence of the phytochemical profile and biological activity of coconut embryo methanolic extract, demonstrating its ability to enhance lifespan, stress tolerance, and cellular stress-response mechanisms in C. elegans. These findings support the potential of coconut embryo-derived constituents as candidates for further bioactivity-guided fractionation and mechanistic validation in additional model systems. Further studies are warranted to isolate its active compounds, validate its mechanisms, and assess its applicability in higher organisms.