Methanolic extracts of the edible halophyte Crithmum maritimum enhance oxidative stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans through hormetic mechanisms

Abstract

Halophytes are promising sources of bioactive phenolic compounds for the food and pharmaceutical industries. However, their phenolic composition is influenced by environmental conditions, and the in vivo antioxidant activity of their phytochemicals is largely unknown. We evaluated the antioxidant capacity of phenolic-rich methanolic extracts from the edible halophyte Crithmum maritimum, grown in wild and greenhouse conditions. Additionally, their in vivo antioxidant capacity was analyzed for the first time using the model Caenorhabditis elegans. Wild plant extracts showed higher phenolic content and diversity, and in vitro antioxidant activity. Both extracts enhanced oxidative stress resistance and increased nematode survival rates, albeit to varying extents, and increased reactive oxygen species production in nematodes, without affecting their lifespan, suggesting a hormetic mechanism. Although no neuroprotective effects were observed in models of neurodegenerative diseases, these findings highlight the potential of C. maritimum as a valuable source of phenolics with antioxidant properties for the food industry.