Logo image
Celastrol modulates IRS1 expression to alleviate ovarian aging and to enhance follicular development
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Celastrol modulates IRS1 expression to alleviate ovarian aging and to enhance follicular development

Yao Jiang, Yonghua Shi, Meng Lv, Tao Wang, Penghao Wang, Xiaolong Yuan, Fei Gao and Bin Ma
Cell biology and toxicology, Vol.41(1), 129
2025
pdf
Published4.53 MBDownloadView
CC BY V4.0 Open Access

Abstract

Biochemistry Biomedical and Life Sciences Cell Biology General Life Sciences Pharmacology/Toxicology
Ovarian aging significantly contributes to the decline of the female reproductive system, adversely affecting fertility and endocrine homeostasis. To address the challenges posed by reproductive aging, natural products have shown promising preventive and therapeutic effects. Here, we investigated the beneficial effects of natural compound celastrol on ovarian development and aging, together with its underlying mechanisms. We found that celastrol administration at a concentration of 3 mg/kg promoted follicle development in young mice and enhanced porcine oocyte maturation, while regulating granulosa cell proliferation and apoptosis. In 12-month-old mice (equivalent to middle-aged adults), celastrol exhibited similar beneficial effects. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes post-celastrol treatment were associated with steroid biosynthesis, estrogen signaling pathways, type 2 diabetes, insulin secretion, meiosis, and apoptosis. Additionally, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), an adapter protein in insulin signaling, was shown to advance puberty in young mice and to facilitate oocyte maturation. Overexpression of IRS1 in oocytes promoted follicular development and oocyte maturation, resulting in enhanced steroid hormone levels, whereas IRS1 knockdown inhibited these processes. Our findings indicate that celastrol may regulate ovarian development and aging by modulating IRS1 expression and its related pathways, suggesting celastrol as a novel small-molecule compound targeting IRS1, and offering new perspectives for potential therapeutic strategies against reproductive aging and infertility.

Details

Metrics

9 Record Views
Logo image