Overview of C.elegans and Investigation of the Effects of Plant Extracts of Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis) on the Thermotolerance of Caenorhabditis Elegance

Authors : Nazmi Savaş, Serdal Öğüt, Abdullah Olgun, Elif Yavuz Dokgöz, Meltem Güleç, Ayşegül Çalışkan İşcan

Pages : 245-260

Doi:10.46237/amusbfd.1517959

View : 84 | Download : 66

Publication Date : 2025-05-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of functional plant extracts of Melissa officinalis on thermotolerance (resistance to heat stress) and lifespan of the model organism C. elegans. Thermotolerance studies are the first step and a short one in the life span analysis of such model organisms. It is thought that various concentrations (5, 50, 200 μg/ml, respectively) of methanol extracts of the plant (Melissa officinalis) may have positive effects on C.elegans thermotolerance (heat stress). Methods: In this study, methanol extracts of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), which is rich in antioxidants and also has functional properties, were prepared at various concentrations (5, 50, 200 μg/ml, respectively) and tested with experimental groups at these 3 different concentrations together with the control group by creating heat stress on living organisms (at 35°C). In each petri dish, 200 μg/ml of (FudR) was added. The effects of this plant on the thermotolerance of C. elegans were examined in this study and the results were interpreted and the effect on the li fe span was evaluated. Results: As a result of the experiments, it was found that the extract concentrations at which the thermotolerance (heat stress) effect was the strongest were 50 and 200 μg/ml; however, it was determined that at low concentrations such as 5 μg/ml, the extracts lost their effectiveness on C.elegans thermotolerance. Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was observed that 50 and 200 μg/ml concentrations of the extracts increased the thermotolerance of C.elegans, but the concentration of 5 μg/ml gave similar results with the control group. Because 5 μg/ml is a 1/10 dilution of 50 μg/ml and it can be understood that it will be ineffective due to this low concentration. From this point of view, we can say that lemon balm plant extracts have a significant enhancing effect on C. elegans thermotolerance and this effect is at 50-200 μg/ml levels. However, at concentrations as low as 5 μg/ml, the effect of the extracts on C.elegans thermotolerance is lost.
Keywords : Antioksidan, Bitki ekstresi, Caenorhabditis elegans, Oğulotu, Termotolerans, Yaşam süresi

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