Life-span extension by pigmented rice bran in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Benefits of whole grains as dietary supplements and active ingredients in health products have been promoted. Despite being neglected as an agricultural byproduct of polished rice, pigmented rice bran has emerged as a promising source of natural anti-aging compounds. Indeed, the extract of red rice bran Hom Dang cultivar contained rich phenolic acids and flavonoids. It displayed high antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo assays. Using yeast model, extract and bioactive compounds, quercetin and protocatechuic acid found in the rice bran pericarp, effectively reduced levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), restored plasma membrane damages and prolonged life-span of pre-treated wild-yeast cells. Importantly, these molecules modulated life span-extension through a mechanism of ROS reduction that resembles to that operated under the highly conserved Tor1- and Sir2-dependent signaling pathways, with the human homologs TORC1 and SIRT1, respectively. The key longevity factors Sch9 and Rim15 kinases, Msn2/4 regulators and a novel transcription factor Asg1, the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutases and glutathione peroxidases played important role in mediating longevity. Yeast clearly provides an instrumental platform for rapid screening of compounds with anti-aging efficacies and advances knowledge in the molecular study of ageing.


Results
Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activities of pigmented rice bran extract. The antioxidant activities of bran extracts from two pigmented rice varieties (red and black) were determined by in vitro assays. These included the inhibition of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) using 2,2′-azino-bis-3 ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acids (ABTS) as an oxidant and FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power). Total phenolic contents were also determined. The extraction was performed using two polar solvents, ethanol and propylene glycol, separately. The TPC of ethanolic rice bran extracts of Hom Dang (red rice) and Kum Doi Saket (black rice) was in the range of 1.20 ± 0.16 to 1.69 ± 0.12 mg GAE/g extract, while propylene glycolic extracts ranged from 1.09 ± 0.06 to 1.44 ± 0.08 mg GAE/g extract (Table 1). Of both rice varieties, the highest TPC was obtained from Hom Dang rice bran ethanolic extract (Table 1). Its DPPH free radical scavenging activity also showed the lowest EC 50 (0.35 ± 0.20 mg/mL). The ABTS scavenging assays also showed similar antioxidant capacity for all rice bran extracts tested (Table 1). Also, the propylene glycolic extract of Kum Doi Saket had the highest ferrous-chelating capacity (FRAP) of 7.29 ± 0.50 × 10 6 µmole Fe(II)/g extract followed by the ethanolic Hom Dang rice bran and Kum Doi Saket rice bran extracts (Table 1). High total anthocyanin content involved in high ferrous-chelating capacity (FRAP), in the black rice bran extract is proposed to be responsible for the antioxidant activity among other pigmented rice bran extract. Overall, Hom Dang rice bran extract showed the best TPC and scavenging activity (Table 1). Ascorbic acid 0.02 ± 0.13* N.I N.I Table 1. In vitro antioxidant properties of Thai pigmented rice bran extracts. a Total phenolic content in milligram of gallic acid in 1 g of pigmented rice bran extract. b EC 50 = the concentration of a compound that gives half-maximal response. c % Inhibition of 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. d 50% 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid scavenging activity. e Ferric reducing/antioxidant power in milligram of Trolox equivalent in 1 g of pigmented rice bran extract. f N.I = Not identified. Values are presented as means ± S.D. Statistical significance was considered at: *p < 0.01.
www.nature.com/scientificreports www.nature.com/scientificreports/ Determination of antioxidant compounds of pigmented rice bran extract. The UV spectra of the hydroxybenzoic acids were relevant and used to elucidate their chemical structures ( Table 2). Single absorption peaks appeared in the UV spectra of compounds such as p-coumaric acid providing a [M-H] − anion at m/z 119 and protocatchuic acid providing a [M-H] − anion at m/z 109, which have symmetrical chemical structures. However, the position and number of hydroxyl groups on the aromatic rings also had a significant effect on wavelength shift. The ferulic acid provided [M-H] − anions at m/z 134, m/z 149, m/z 178, all of which had non-symmetrical chemical structures, a major absorption peak and a shoulder absorption under our conditions, which was inconsistent with the previous report 16,24  The latter ion is formed by losing the rutinose moiety from the corresponding glycosides.
In summary, the ESI-MS/MS spectra analyzed showed that propylene glycolic Hom Dang rice bran extract contained many free phenolic acids including p-courmaric acid, protocatchuic acid, and ferulic acid ( Table 2). It also contained tannin, including proanthocyanidin dimer and proanthocyanidin trimer, as well as α-tocopherol and flavonoids, including catechin, rutin, kaempherol, isorhamnetin, and quercetin (Table 2). However, the propylene glycolic extract of Kum Doi Saket contained less bioactive compounds, only ferulic, isorhamnetin, protocatechuic acid, rutin, kaempherol, and p-courmaric acid ( Table 2). Based on the LC/MS-MS analysis, Hom Dang rice bran extract contained, in comparison, a higher amount of bioactive compounds, some of which included phenolic acids and flavonoids.
Effects of pigmented rice bran extracts on H 2 o 2 scavenging. S. cerevisiae is a good and easy organism for use as an in vivo model for testing the ability of antioxidants to scavenge intracellular ROS 28 . It was used to investigate the ability of Hom Dang rice bran extract to scavenge intracellular ROS generated by the potent oxidant H 2 O 2 , based on the DCF method 29 . The conversion of the non-fluorescent DCFH 2 -DA to highly fluorescent DCF is well documented and occurs in several steps. DCFH 2 -DA is transported across the cell membrane and deacetylated by esterases to form the non-fluorescent DCFH 2 . This compound is trapped inside the cells. Next, DCFH 2 is converted to DCF through the action of intracellular oxidants; H 2 O 2 , HO • , ROO • 30 . Different yeast deletion strains lacking key genes in aging and antioxidant systems, namely SOD1, SOD2, GPX1,GPX2, TOR1, SIR2, RIM15, MSN2/4, ASG1, and SCH9, were pre-treated with Hom Dang rice bran extracts prior to the exposure to 5 mM H 2 O 2 .
The DCFH-DA assay showed that the ROS levels were increased after exposure to 5 mM H 2 O 2 for all strains, especially the Δsod1 strain lacking the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which showed a 2-fold increase in the ROS level (Fig. 1a). Addition of the antioxidant agents, thiourea (TU) or ascorbic acid (AA or vitamin c), did not alter the levels of ROS but contributed to the lowering of the ROS level. As shown, the ROS levels dropped to the same or lower level than under untreated (H 2 O 2 ) condition for all tested strains (Fig. 1a). The ROS levels in the WT, the Δsod1 and the ∆sod2 strains were significantly decreased to the background ROS level after treatment with 0.01 mg/mL of the Hom Dang rice bran extract (Fig. 1a). Similarly, ROS levels in the WT, the ∆gpx1, and the ∆gpx2 strains were significantly decreased after treatment with 0.01 mg/mL of the Kum Doi Saket rice bran extract (Fig. 1a). Thus, the results suggested the antioxidant activity of the pigmented rice bran extracts to reduce intracellular ROS levels in mutant yeast strains lacking antioxidant enzymes.
Ability of Hom Dang rice bran extract to reduce intracellular ROS in aged yeast. Due to the high antioxidant activity of Hom Dang rice bran extract, its ability to reduce intracellular ROS was evaluated against two bioactive compounds, quercetin and protocatechuic acid, found in the rice bran ( Table 2). The wild-type yeast S. cerevisiae strain was cultured for a total duration of 30 days. Addition of the Hom dang rice bran extract, quercetin or protocatechuic acid gradually decreased the intracellular fluorescence intensity from day 3 until day 21, when used at a concentration of 0.01-0.1, 0.008, and 0.002 mg/mL, respectively (Fig. 1b). The antioxidants could permeate through the yeast cell membrane and intercept ROS forming radicals, thereby preventing the production of different ROS compounds required to oxidize intracellular DCFH 2 to the fluorescent DCF through post-diauxic and stationary phases (Fig. 1b). The efficient suppression of intracellular ROS production by the Hom dang rice bran extract, quercetin, and protocatechuic acid indicated that these agents act with strong radical scavenging potency in the intracellular environment.
Hom Dang rice bran extract treatment prevented cell membrane damage. To provide additional evidence for the aforementioned findings, we examined the membrane permeability of the pigmented rice bran extract, quercetin or protocatechuic acid-pretreated S. cerevisiae cells using propidium iodide dye (Pi + ) 31 . The exclusion of this hydrophilic red standard dye from cells with intact membranes is indicative if its integrity, whereas severely damaged cell membranes allow the dye in 32 . It is used to determine the membrane impermeability. Results showed that the reduction of Pi + dye by the Hom Dang rice bran extract is time and concentration dependent. At day1, the untreated and pre-treated S. cerevisiae cells had low levels of fluorescence intensity, indicating minimal cell membrane damage (Fig. 1d). The fluorescence was also shown for the control, 65 °C-heated cells, at day 1 and day 7. By day 7 of culturing, Pi + was strongly fluorescent in the untreated condition as cells aged (Fig. 1d). However, the fluorescence was dramatically reduced in cells treated with 0.1 mg/mL of the Hom Dang   www.nature.com/scientificreports www.nature.com/scientificreports/ Antioxidants and Hom Dang rice bran extract extended lifespan of wild-type yeast cells. Aging has been associated with an increase in the accumulation of ROS and a decrease in antioxidant defenses. This oxidative damage theory of aging is supported by data showing that increased scavenging of ROS by over expression of antioxidant enzymes delays aging 31 . The protection against oxidative stress conferred by the antioxidants and the extract of Hom Dang rice bran extract led us to analyze their effect on yeast chronological life span. 0.1 mg/mL of Hom Dang rice bran extract increased the lifespan of S. cerevisiae wild-type BY4742 strain significantly compared to the untreated strain ( Fig. 1c and Table 3). The life-span extension was increased by 5 days at 50% viability when compared to the untreated wild-type strain (Fig. 1c). Similarly, pre-treatment with 0.002 mg/mL of protocatechuic acid (PCA) or 0.008 mg/m of quercetin (Q) could extend the lifespan of the wild-type strain by 5 days at 50% viability compared to untreated strain (Fig. 1c). During chronological aging, the viability of cells pretreated with antioxidants Q or PCA or the extract showed positive effects, possibly due to the anti-oxidation potential of antioxidants. They may trigger the anti-aging system of yeast cells to gain better resistance to toxic or accumulated free radicals.
The Sir2 signaling pathway and the anti-aging effect of antioxidants and extract. Sir2 regulates NAD-dependent deacetylase, which participates in a wide range of cellular events, including chromosome silencing, chromosome segregation, DNA recombination and the determination of life-span 32 . It is also involved in the transcriptional repression of the silent mating-type loci, HML and HMR, and telomeric silencing via the association with Sir3 and Sir4 33 . First, the ROS detection experiments and spot assays were performed to identify the oxidation states of cells and to test whether the long-lived ∆sir2 strain is oxidative stress resistant. The wild-type and the ∆sir2 strains were either pre-treated or untreated with antioxidants Q and PCA or Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD) and then exposed to 5 mM hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) for 1 hr. The untreated ∆sir2 strain showed higher ROS accumulation when compared to the untreated wild-type strain by approximately 45% (Fig. 2a). Pre-treatment with antioxidants Q or PCA or the extract (HD) by approximately 22%, 0%, or 56%, respectively,  www.nature.com/scientificreports www.nature.com/scientificreports/ decreased the ROS accumulation in the ∆sir2 strain and optimized growth (Fig. 2a,b). Following the exposure to H 2 O 2 , the highest ROS level and increased sensitivity was found for the ∆sir2 strain by approximately 21% (Fig. 2a,b). The antioxidants Q, PCA and especially the Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD), could lower the ROS Figure 2. (a) Survival curves of chronologically aging yeast cells from day 0 to day 30 were shown. Lack of Tor1 or Sir2 significantly increased the longevity of S. cerevisiae. Pre-treatment with antioxidants quercetin (Q) or protocatechuic acid (PCA) or Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD) showed increasing life-span extension only in the WT strain but not in the deletion mutants of Tor1 or Sir2. (*p, # p < 0.01, two-tailed Student's t test compared to untreated condition and wild-type, respectively). Data were presented as means ± SEM (n = 9). (b) Quantification of cellular ROS levels via the fluorescent DCFH-DA assay in the S. cerevisiae WT and yeast mutants ∆sir2 or ∆tor1. Cells were treated with antioxidants 0.008 mg/mL of quercetin (Q), 0.002 mg/mL of protocatechuic acid (PCA) or 0.1 mg/mL Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD). After, cells were exposed to 5 mM of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) for 1 hr. to induce generation of ROS. Endogenous ROS levels of cells were measured. Error bars represented standard error of the mean (SEM) (*p, # p < 0.01, two-tailed Student's t test compared to untreated condition and wild-type, respectively). (c) The oxidative stress resistance of the WT, the ∆sir2 and the ∆tor1 strains were examined via spot assays. Cells were first treated or untreated with antioxidants quercetin (Q), protocatechuic acid (PCA) or Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD), and then exposed to 5 mM hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) for 1 hr. prior to be spotted on YPD plates. Growth was examined after incubation in a dark room at 30 °C for 48 hr. Three independent experiments were done. (d) Quantification of intracellular ROS levels in the chronological ageing S. cerevisiae WT, the ∆sir2 and the ∆tor1 strains treated with antioxidants 0.008 mg/mL of quercetin (Q), 0.002 mg/mL of protocatechuic acid (PCA), or 0.1 mg/mL Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD). The ROS levels were analyzed by the fluorescent DCFH-DA assay. Error bars represented standard error of the mean (SEM) (*p, # p <0.01, two-tailed Student's t test compared to untreated condition and wild-type, respectively). (2019) 9:18061 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-54448-9 www.nature.com/scientificreports www.nature.com/scientificreports/ levels of the ∆sir2 strain by approximately 34%, 4%, or 54%, respectively, and showed improved growth on the spot tests (Fig. 2a,b). Thus, the ∆sir2 strain had high intracellular ROS accumulation and showed increased sensitivity to H 2 O 2 while the antioxidants pre-treatment reduced ROS accumulation and enhanced the growth of the ∆sir2 strain during the oxidative stress (Fig. 2a,b).
Next, the oxidation states of ∆sir2 mutant pre-treated or untreated with the antioxidants Q or PCA or the Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD) were investigated to examine the possible correlation between antioxidants and longevity. Deletion of SIR2 resulted in increased percent cell survival and extension of life-span by 2 days at 50% viability when compared to the untreated wild-type strain ( Fig. 2c; dash black line versus solid black line) or approximately 65% at day 17. In contrast to the wild-type S. cerevisiae strain with extended life-span of approximately 179-205%; no life-span extension was found in the antioxidant pre-treated ∆sir2 strain ( Fig. 2a; dash red lines versus dash black line at day 17). To examine the oxidation state of the aging ∆sir2 strain in the pre-treatment/un -treatment with antioxidants or the extract, the ROS levels were again measured as cells chronologically aged. As shown, the ROS levels were increased as cells aged (measured from day 0 to day 17) for both the wild-type and ∆sir2 strains by approximately 71% and 68%, respectively (Fig. 2d). Between days 3-11, in untreated condition, the ROS levels of the ∆sir2 strain were higher than those of the wild-type strain, suggesting elevated intracellular oxidative stress in cells lacking Sir2 (Fig. 2d). Absence of Sir2 function has been reported to result in a complete loss of transcriptional silencing, an increase in the rate of rDNA repeat and recombination, and a decrease in chromosome stability, leading to defects in the meiotic pachytene checkpoint, which may explain the observed increasing 1,4,34,35 .
Quercetin (Q), protocatechuic acid (PCA), and the extract of Hom Dang rice bran (HD) greatly reduced ROS levels in the wild-type and ∆sir2 strains, especially during day 3-7 to approximately 45-96%, respectively, in WT ( Fig. 2d and Table 4). However, ROS levels remained quite high between days 11 and 17 as cells aged, despite their antioxidant property (Fig. 2d). Despite elevated ROS levels in the ∆sir2 strain, its longevity was extended (Fig. 2c,d). Pre-treatment with the antioxidants Q or PCA reduced ROS levels in both the wild-type and ∆sir2 strains, but only enhanced the longevity of the wild-type strain but not ∆sir2 strain (Fig. 2c,d). No clear correlation between the ROS levels, antioxidants and longevity could be found for the ∆sir2 strain as no life-span extension was observed upon antioxidant pre-treatment despite a reduction in the ROS level (Fig. 2c,d). Thus, results suggested that the antioxidants could partly reduce ROS levels of the ∆sir2 strain.
We reported the identification of a Sir2-independent pathway responsible for the longevity extension associated with antioxidants. Besides, Sir2 and additional mechanisms such as antioxidative defense, which remains intact in the ∆sir2 strain may operate to reduce the cellular ROS accumulation, may act in parallel pathways to promote longevity in yeast and, perhaps, higher eukaryotes. The higher ROS level observed in the ∆sir2 strain, as a resulting of cellular activity, may not be harmful to cells but instead protective. Previous work has shown that severe calorie restriction or additional mutations are required to extend the life span of the ∆sir2 mutant 34 . Increasing ROS level may be responsible for enhanced longevity in the SIR2 deletion strain through activation  www.nature.com/scientificreports www.nature.com/scientificreports/ of the antioxidative system although additional of excessive oxidative stress from (H 2 O 2 ) exposure may be dangerous. Nevertheless, the Hom Dang rice bran extract showed promising anti-aging property and could replace chemically synthesized pure antioxidants used for ROS reduction and longevity enhancement at a lower cost.
Anti-aging effect and involvement of Tor1 pathway. The Tor1 kinase controls several cellular processes to regulate cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase according to environmental signals 36 . Again, the oxidative stress resistance and spot assays were repeated by exposing the antioxidant-treated and untreated ∆tor1 strain to 5 mM hydrogen peroxide for 1 hr. The untreated ∆tor1 strain showed the highest ROS level as observed for the ∆sir2 strain (Fig. 2a). This increased ROS level correlated to the observed increased sensitivity (Fig. 2b). The antioxidants and Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD) could reduce the ROS levels of the ∆tor1 strain by approximately 37%, resulting in better growth compared to the untreated ∆tor1 strain (Fig. 2a,b). Similarly, these antioxidants could only partly reduce ROS levels as observed. The examination of cell survival, using a spot test, revealed that regardless of increasing ROS level, deletion of TOR1 could overcome the requirement for antioxidant pre-treatment to extend longevity (data not shown). It appeared that increasing ROS level may activate other pathways important for the oxidative defense system. In fact, the cellular function regulated by Tor1 has been shown to contain a general mechanism involving the sequestration of the oxidative stress response transcription factors Msn2/Msn4 37 . Examination of these factors may provide better understanding of the connection between Tor1-signalling pathways, aging, and oxidative stress response.
Similar treatments were performed using S. cerevisiae strain with a deletion of TOR1 gene. The ∆tor1 strain exhibited increased percent survival and could extend the life-span by 2 days at 50% viability when compared to the wild-type cells under untreated condition ( Fig. 2c; dash black versus solid black line). While the antioxidants protocatechuic acid (PCA) and quercetin (Q), or the Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD) further extended the longevity of the wild-type strain, they could not show the same effect in the ∆tor1 strain ( Fig. 2c; dash red versus solid red line and solid blue and green line versus solid black line). The ∆tor1 strain pre-treated with the Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD) did not show the life-span extension when compared with the untreated strain ( Fig. 2c; dash red versus solid red line). In addition, the ∆tor1 strain pre-treated with PCA, Q or the HD extract could no longer extend its longevity further ( Fig. 2c; dash blue and green line versus dash black line). To examine the oxidation state of the aging ∆tor1 strain, the ROS levels of cells were again measured for a period of 17 days. Under untreated condition, the ∆tor1 strain showed similar ROS level as that of the wild-type strain except for a slightly higher ROS level at day 5 (Fig. 2d). Quercetin (Q), protocatechuic acid (PCA), and Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD) could reduce the ROS levels of ∆tor1 strain by approximately 17-22% at day 17, although the ROS level remained higher than that of the wild-type strain under this condition (Fig. 2d). This indicated that the longevity effects of the Hom Dang rice bran extract and antioxidants resembles to Tor1 deletion in life-span extension.
Roles of longevity factors in oxidative stress resistance. Again, the ROS levels of strains lacking longevity kinases Sch9 or Rim15, and transcription factors Msn2, Msn4 or Asg1 were examined following treatment with antioxidants and then with hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) for a duration of 10 min or 1 hr. As shown, these mutants showed rapid elevated ROS levels after a 10-min exposure to H 2 O 2 ( Fig. 3a; upper panel). Treatments with quercetin (Q) or protocatechuic acid (PCA) did not reduce the ROS levels ( Fig. 3a; upper panel). Examination of cell survival via spot assays showed that the short exposure to H 2 O 2 (10 min) was not able to inhibit the growth of these deletion mutants of oxidative stress response and in turn induced ROS levels which may immune the cells for better tolerance to oxidative stress ( Fig. 3b; upper panel). Also, cells remained viable as there could be a functional redundancy in activating the stress response due to a single gene deletion. Surprisingly, for the longer H 2 O 2 exposure of 1 hr., the ROS levels were reduced greatly, and treatments with antioxidants further decreased the ROS levels ( Fig. 3a; lower panel). The observed lower ROS levels were likely due to the inactivation of enzymes for the conversion of the ROS signal to a fluorescence signal as a result of cell death. Since, inactivation of Sch9 may cause up-regulation of many stress-resistance and DNA-repairing genes as well as genes required to extend the chronological lifespan. In fact, the ROS level should be very high under this condition. The long H 2 O 2 exposure was found to be detrimental for all tested strains, and addition of antioxidants quercetin (Q) or protocatechuic acid (PCA) or the Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD) slightly promoted growth for some strains, such as the ∆asg1, ∆rim15, and ∆sch9 strains ( Fig. 3b; lower panel). The correlation between the oxidation state of these mutants and their roles in mediating oxidative stress response was clear. Antioxidant pre-treatment resulted in the lowering ROS levels in these deletion mutants the ∆rim15, the ∆msn2, the ∆msn4 and the ∆asg1, suggesting that the oxidative stress defense system is a major route for maintaining the cellular ROS level (Fig. 4). The correlation between the oxidation states and longevity of these mutants remains to be further investigated. Likely, their ROS levels would be high due to their direct roles in controlling the oxidative stress response (Fig. 3a) and cellular homeostasis, as observed for shortened longevity of these mutants (Fig. 3c).

Downstream kinases and transcription factors of longevity in S. cerevisiae. Notably, similar effect
was observed for the downstream kinases of Tor1 such as Sch9 but not Rim15. Deletion of SCH9 resulted in increased percent cell survival; however, deletion of RIM15 decreased percent cell survival by 2 and 3 days at 50% viability, respectively when compared to the untreated wild-type strain (Fig. 3c). Unlike the wild-type strain (Fig. 3c), antioxidants quercetin (Q) and protocatechuic acid (PCA) or Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD) could not extend the longevity of the ∆sch9 strain, but could extend that of the ∆rim15 strain (Fig. 3c). Msn2 and Msn4 are positive transcriptional factors that act as a component of the stress responsive system. They recognize and bind to the stress response element (STRE) in response to various forms of stress (heat, oxidative, osmotic shock and others) 35,38,39 . Deletion of MSN2 or MSN4 genes exhibited decreased percent cell survival by 3 days at 50% viability when compared to the untreated wild-type strain (Fig. 3a;  www.nature.com/scientificreports www.nature.com/scientificreports/ or ∆msn4 strain pre-treatment with quercetin (Q), protocatechuic acid (PCA), or the Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD) showed an increase in life-span extension by approximately 78-121%, 78-127%, and 179-205%, respectively, as compared to the wild-type treated strain at day 17 ( Fig. 3c; dash  Survival curves of chronologically aging yeast cells from day 0 to day 30 were shown. Lack of Sch9 significantly increased the longevity while, in contrast, lack of Rim15, Msn2, Msn4 or Asg1 significantly decreased the longevity of S. cerevisiae. Pretreatment with antioxidants quercetin (Q) or protocatechuic acid (PCA) or Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD) showed increasing life-span extension in the WT, the ∆rim15, the ∆msn2, the ∆msn4 and the ∆asg1 strains. (*p, # p < 0.01, two-tailed Student's t test compared to untreated condition and wild-type, respectively). Data were presented as means ± SEM (n = 9). black line). Lastly, Asg1 is a recently characterized zinc cluster transcription factor of stress response 40 . Null mutant asg1 has a respiratory deficiency, calcofluor white sensitivity and slightly increased cycloheximide resistance 41 . Deletion of ASG1 also exhibited reduced percentage cell survival by 3 days at 50% viability when compared to the untreated wild-type strain ( Fig. 3a; dash black versus solid black line). Likewise, the ∆asg1 strain supplemented with tested antioxidants or Hom Dang rice bran extract (HD) could increase the life-span by approximately 78-121% at day 17 ( Fig. 3a; dash blue, green and red lines versus solid black line).

Discussion
Rice bran is produced as an agricultural byproduct of white rice processing. This nutrient-rich outer hull of rice kernel offers a number of health benefits as an excellent source of essential nutrients including antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The concentration of bioactive compounds and antioxidants present in rice bran or other cereal grains is significantly dependent on the grain color 22 . Among cereal grains, rice bran has more phenolic content and antioxidant activity than wheat, sorghum, corn and barley that could be applied in food and health industries 42 . The TPC of red and black rice bran extracts correlated well with the antioxidant activities obtained via the DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging ability, and Ferric ion reducing power ( Table 1). The reported antioxidant activity could be attributed to the different kinds of antioxidants in the pigmented rice bran, as has been reported by other studies 35,38 , and could promote human health by reducing the concentrations of reactive cell-damaging free radicals. They act as antioxidants as singlet oxygen quencher and radical scavenger 39 . The protective effects of protocatechuic acid and quercetin against oxidative stress via a direct antioxidant mechanism through free radical-scavenging activity and their anti-inflammatory activity have been documented 43 . For example, phenolic acids including protocatechuic acid, found only in red and black rice bran, and p-coumaric acid, found only in red rice bran, function as antioxidants and convert the superoxide anion to H 2 O 2 by hydrogen donation and oxidization of hydroxyl radical to water 14 . This study shows that extracts of red and black rice bran restore the viability of yeast cells lacking the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutases and glutathione peroxidases (Fig. 1a). The Hom Dang rice bran extract, quercetin and protocatechuic acid, also decrease ROS levels in the yeast cells up to day 21 after pre-treatment, implicating the anti-aging intervention (Fig. 1b). These results are consistent with previous studies, which confirm that proanthocyanidin found in Hom Dang rice bran (Table 2) increases the antioxidant capacity by stimulating the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase 44 .
Also, Hom Dang rice bran contains compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in accordance with the inhibition of protonation of the superoxide anion and the hydroxyl radical initiation of lipid peroxidation, which support the finding that these antioxidants could help to restore damaged cell membranes (Fig. 1d). The previous report also showed that Hom Dang rice bran extract can scavenge the superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals due to its bioactive compounds contents 45 . These results well corroborate a previous finding that quercetin significantly suppresses the level of malondialdehyde, a naturally end product of lipid peroxidation and an oxidative stress biomarker, which could contribute to the protective effect on cell membranes 42 . In www.nature.com/scientificreports www.nature.com/scientificreports/ addition, quercetin found in the Hom Dang rice bran ( Table 2) has been shown to act as estrogenic agonist which activates estrogen activity to inhibit cell proliferation in human breast cancer 46 . Therefore, rice bran extract has a wide spectrum of health benefits and pharmacological functions 27,47,48 . Some medical studies have also revealed that high consumption of whole grain could reduce the risk of coronary disease 35 . Protocatechuic acid could be spontaneously degraded by microbial colon and function as anti-colorectal cancer 49 . Some studies have claimed that phenolic compounds from rice bran found in the intestine act to promote enzymatic digestion and absorption of nutrients, thereby preventing colorectal cancer and chronic diseases 50 .
Due to mammalian analogy, S. cerevisiae is widely used as a model for aging studies to elucidate new targets and cellular mechanisms 51 . A number of antioxidants and natural compounds, including resveratrol, quercetin, and tanshinone, has been shown to extend the life-span of S. cerevisiae [52][53][54] . The increase in cell viability under stress conditions has been linked to longevity 14 . Here, antioxidants found in pigmented rice extracts (Table 2) and some signaling and stress responsive factors are shown to display longevity effect in the yeast model of ageing (Fig. 3). These important factors determine life-span extension in a very complex fashion. The extract of Hom Dang rice bran or antioxidants quercetin or protocatechuic acid delays chronological aging and extends the life-span significantly via a reduction of the ROS accumulation (Figs. 2 and 3). The stress responsive kinases and transcription factors play an important role in altering ROS accumulation (Figs. 2 and 3). With respect to longevity promotion, in addition to its anti-oxidative property, antioxidants may influence longevity through modulation of the expression of target genes related to SIR2 of the sirtuin family or the TOR pathway, as is the case in mammals 55,56 . They may directly or indirectly function by activating the Rim15-mediated stress response system to enhance the production of antioxidant enzymes for reduction of ROS level (Fig. 4). Further investigation will be required. Nevertheless, the results suggest that Hom Dang rice bran extract and the antioxidants mimic the inactivation effect of Sir2, Tor1 or Sch9 for reduction of ROS level and compensate for the activation of stress response system as shown for Rim15, Msn2, Msn4 or Asg1 deletion (Fig. 4).
The antioxidant pre-treatment promotes longevity in the absence of Rim15 kinase. Tor1 kinase activates Sch9 and functions to inhibit Rim15. In addition, inactivation of Sch9, a homolog of the mammalian threonine protien-kinase Akt, increases stress resistance and extends the chronological life span of non-diving cells through activation of respiration via Hap4 and Hcm1 37,57 .
This leads to the production of superoxide radicals that are further converted to hydrogen peroxide whose accumulation then signals to activate the stress response system for the reduction of ROS and cell damages thereby increasing life-span extension (Fig. 4). Sch9 also plays another important role in mediating mitochondrial functions which affects oxidative stress and is related to the chronological life-span (Fig. 4). The accumulated ROS may activate downstream components of Rim15, including transcription Msn2/4 and Asg1, for activation of antioxidant enzymes associated with longevity 19 (Fig. 4). Importantly, this study identifies a new role of the transcription factor Asg1. It not only functions in stress response but also acts as a longevity factor as observed for the Msn2/4 transcription factors of the TOR signaling pathway (Fig. 4). Together, they activate the expression of antioxidant enzymes to decrease ROS accumulation and restore cellular damages during exposure to oxidative stress (Fig. 4). In addition, Asg1 is required for full activation of genes in several pathways of fatty acid synthesis, including β-oxidation (POX1, FOX2, and POT1) and triacylglycerol breakdown (TGL3), which affect cellular lipid contents and plasma membrane permeability 44 . As shown, plasma membrane permeability could be preserved in strains pre-treated with the extract or antioxidants (Fig. 1d). Further the roles of these new longevity factors in life-span extension, particularly in relation to lipid metabolism, need to be explored.
In addition to tested compounds, it has been reported that protocatechuic acid and proanthocyanidin are able to elevate catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, and treatment with rutin present in red rice bran ( Table 2) could elevate the transcription levels of genes encoding MnSod and catalase, while reducing the transcription level of Tor 22 . Furthermore, catechin present in the red rice bran (Table 2) also acts as a powerful hydrogen-donating radical scavenger of ROS and RNS and chelates divalent transition metal ions (Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ and Fe 2+ ), thereby preventing the Fe 2+ -induced formation of free radicals 58 . It also increases the expression of manganese superoxide dismutase SOD2 gene in Drosophila melanogaster and inhibits the signaling of transcription factor NF-κB, leading to reductions in liver and kidney damage, and improvement of age-associated inflammation and oxidative stress in mice 45 . Thus, the evidence provided here and in other studies clearly support the antioxidative-assisted anti-aging effects of the pigmented rice extract and antioxidant compounds.
The discovery of new natural antioxidants with longevity effect could offer advantageous strategies for the protection against harmful radicals, chronic inflammation, and age-related diseases 59,60 . It is, therefore, necessary to explore ways to utilize agricultural by-products, such as pigmented rice bran, as food, dietary supplements, or healthcare products to promote our health and overall well-being 27,47,48 . Further investigation in yeast may serve as a useful model to elucidate conserved mechanisms of aging and age-related diseases in humans.

Microbial and treatments.
The yeast cells were grown in the synthetic minimal YNB medium initially containing 2% glucose, in the presence of quercetin 0.008 mg/mL (Aldrich-Sigma, USA), protocatechuic Determination bioactive compounds by UPLC MS/MS. An ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC), Waters Acquity (Milford, MA, USA), system was coupled with a triplequadrupole-linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometer (Applied Biosystems 4000 Q TRAP; Life Technologies Corporation, Carlsbad, CA, USA) with an electrospray ionisation (ESI) source. A C 18 reversed phase Acquity column (1.7 μm, 150 mm × 4.6 mm). The mobile phase was a binary solvent system consisting of solvent A (water with 0.1% formic acid) and solvent B (CH 3 CN). The UPLC gradient for mass screening was 0-5 min, 90% A; 5-15 min, 90-10% A; 15-20 min, 10% A; 20-25 min, 10-90% A; 25-30 min, 90% A. The flow rate was 0.25 mL/min, and the injection volume was 10 μL. All samples were filtered with 0.2 μm nylon membrane filter prior to injection. The mass spectra were acquired from m/z 100-1000 with a 20 ms ion accumulation time. All mass spectrometric data were acquired in positive ionisation mode. The capillary and voltage of the ESI source were maintained at 400 °C and −4.5 kV, respectively. The scan rate was 1000 amu/s. Data acquisition and data processing was performed using Analyst 1.4.2. MS Fragmenter 12.0 (Advanced Chemistry Development, Toronto, Canada) was used to predict compound fragmentation 61 .
Determination of total phenolic content (TPC). The total phenolic content of each fraction was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method with some modifications. Briefly, 50 µl of extract solution was shaken for 1 min with 1 mL of diluted (1:10 with water) Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. After the mixture was shaken, 50 µL of 10% Sodium carbonate (Na 2 CO 3 ) was added, and the final volume was made up to 5 mL with distilled water. After 2 hour of reaction, the absorbance at 760 nm was determined and used to estimate the phenolic acid content using a standard curve prepared using gallic acid 61 .
Free-radical scavenging activity on DPPH. Total free radical scavenging capacity of the extracts from two pigmented rice bran extracts: red and black was estimated according to the previously reported method with slight modification using the stable DPPH radical, which has an absorption maximum at wavelength of 517 nm. All the determinations were performed in triplicate. The capability to scavenge the DPPH radical was calculated using the following equation. DPPH Scavenged (%) = (A 517 of sample-A 517 of control/A 517 of control) × 100 (1), where, A 517 of control is absorbance at t = 0 min; A 517 of sample is absorbance at t = 30 min. 61 .