β‑Dihydroagarofuran-Type Sesquiterpenes from the Seeds of Celastrus monospermus and Their Lifespan-Extending Effects on the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Seventeen β-dihydroagarofuran-type sesquiterpenes were isolated from the seeds of Celastrus monospermus, and, among them, 15 (1–15) were identified as new natural products. Nine isolates were evaluated for their lifespan-extending effect using the standard model animal nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. As a result, all of the tested compounds prolonged the lifespan of C. elegans when compared to the blank control group (p 5) extended the average lifespan and maximum lifespan of C. elegans, with effects similar to those of rapamycin, a positive control that has been found experimentally to delay the aging process of yeasts, worms, fruit flies, and mice.