Anti-aging effects of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) and Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora Boiss.) plant extracts

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora Boiss.) have been reported to exhibit several biological beneficial activities. However, the biological activities related to anti-ageing have not been reported so far. In this study, we evaluated anti-aging properties of the peppermint and Shirazi thyme extracts in rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from bone marrow and adipose tissue. Beta-galactosidase staining revealed cellular anti-senescence-associated β-galactosidase in the treated stem cells. Significantly higher expression of anti-aging related gene, Nanog, and lower expression of aging-related genes, P53 and NF-kB were detected in the treated cells compared to the controls. Moreover, treatment was found to decrease the number of cells in the G2/M phase's indicating anti-apoptosis effect of the plant extracts. Overall, our finding revealed that peppermint and Shirazi thyme extracts can promote anti-aging process in mesenchymal stem cells.