Herbal terpenoids activate autophagy and mitophagy through modulation of bioenergetics and protect from metabolic stress, sarcopenia and epigenetic aging.

ABSTRACT: Small molecular food components contribute to the health benefits of diets rich in fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. The cellular mechanisms by which noncaloric bioactives promote healthspan are not well understood, limiting their use in disease prevention. Here, we deploy a whole-organism, high-content screen in zebrafish to profile food-derived compounds for activation of autophagy, a cellular quality control mechanism that promotes healthy aging. We identify thymol and carvacrol as activators of autophagy and mitophagy through a transient dampening of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Chemical stabilization of thymol-induced mitochondrial depolarization blocks mitophagy activation, suggesting a mechanism originating from the mitochondrial membrane. Supplementation with thymol pr

SUBMITTER: Civiletto G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12532568 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature