Components with lifespan-prolonging effects in the fibrous roots of Anemarrhena asphodeloides characterized by ultra-high performance

Background/Context: The fibrous roots of Rhizoma Anemarrhena (FRRA) are produced in the primary processing of Rhizoma Anemarrhena (RA). The lifespan-prolonging effect and the bioactive compounds of FRRA were rarely reported. Objectives: To study the lifespan-prolonging effects and reveal the potential bioactive components of FRRA. Materials and Methods: Caenorhabditis elegans were incubated with FRRA extracts (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg/mL). The number of live worms was recorded till all worms were dead. The components in FRRA or in vivo in Caenorhabditis elegans were detected and identified via UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS and Unify Software. The lifespan-prolonging effect of the components detected in vivo in Caenorhabditis elegans was verified. The contents of the components detected in vivo in Caenorhabditis elegans in FRRA and RA were determined and compared using UHPLC-MS. Results: FRRA extracts (0.5 mg/mL) significantly (**P < 0.01) extended the lifespan of the Caenorhabditis elegans (mean value from 15.07 to 19.10 days). A total of 28 components were detected and identified in FRRA, and 4 components were first screened in FRRA. A total of 5 components including neomangiferin, mangiferin, isomangiferin, timosaponin B-II and timosaponin A-III were detected in vivo in Caenorhabditis elegans and the effective concentration for the 5 components were 100, 100, 100, 120 and 120 μM, respectively. The average contents of neomangiferin, mangiferin, isomangiferin, timosaponin B-II and timosaponin A-III in FRRA were 0.80, 1.44, 0.50, 3.62 and 0.72%, respectively. Conclusion: FRRA is rich in lifespan-prolonging compounds and could be used as a potential drug resource.