Dietary Fruit Red Banana (Musa acuminata “Red Dacca”) as a Potent Antiaging Candidate in Caenorhabditis elegans

The banana is one of the most consumed fruits across the globe and a significant source of nutrients. Specifically, the red banana, Musa acuminata “Red Dacca”, is rich in phenolic compounds, tannins, anthocyanins, minerals, and other natural antioxidants that contribute to its color, pleasant fragrance, and health benefits. Although it has several health benefits, the antiaging effects of red bananas have not yet been studied. In this study, we examined the antiaging activities of red bananas and further explored the underlying mechanisms using the powerful genetics of the Caenorhabditis elegans model. We found that red banana supplementation at 100 μg/mL increased the mean and maximum lifespan of C. elegans under stress and normal culture conditions. In addition to their antioxidant activity, red banana treatment reduced intracellular ROS levels by activating stress-responsive genes. We found that red banana selectively regulates DAF-16/FoxO and SKN-1/Nrf2 transcription factors by inhibiting insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling and activating sir-2.1 and jnk-1. Following activation, daf-16 and skn-1 upregulate the expression of multiple gerontogenes involved in stress resistance and cellular longevity. Finally, it was worth noting that red banana pretreatment improved several health span measures in aged C. elegans. Together, our data uncover the novel role of red banana in extending healthy lifespan.