SENOLYTIC EFFECTS OF BETAINE AMELIORATES DNA DAMAGES AND PHOTOAGEING IN FIBROBLAST CELLS- AN INVITRO STUDY : BETAINE ATTENUVATES PHOTOAGEING AND SENESCENCE

Rajesh ramachandran; Angel Reena George; Anchu Anil Reeja; Renjini Ambika Padmanaphan; Nithin Vijayakumar

doi:10.47743/jemb-2026-216

Authors

Dr Ramachandran Center for research on Molecular and applied sciences
Angel
Anchu
Dr Renjini Center for research on Molecular and applied sciences
Dr Vijayakumar Center for research on Molecular and Applied Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47743/jemb-2026-216

Keywords:

Photoageing, Reactive oxygen species, Betaine, DNA damages, Comet assay

Abstract

Ageing is the sequential deterioration of biological functions indispensable for persistence and reproduction. When deterioration reigns above synthesis, the organism ages; UV-induced photoageing is one of the causes of DNA damages leading to premature ageing and there is increased demand for use of phytochemicals as protective agents as senescence inhibitors. Several phytochemicals are being under active research for senolytic effects. In the present study, we focussed to identify the senolytic effects of betaine in UV induced experimental ageing models. L929 cells were subjected to UV treatment to mimic photoageing and the cells were treated with varying concentrations of betaine from 6.25 to 100 μg.mL-1. The impact of betaine on UV exposed cells was determined by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation using 2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) staining. Comet assay and galactosidase staining was done to analyse the extent of DNA damages and senescence respectively. Betaine-associated protection against UV photoaged L929 cells was evident with concomitant increase in cell viability and significant restoration of cellular morphology. With UV exposure, ROS generation was found to be increased and was reduced in betaine co-treated groups. Betaine significantly reduced UV induced DNA damage as evident from decreased tail length in cotreated groups compared to the increased tail length in UV irradiated groups. X gal staining confirmed the senolytic effects of betaine. The experimental results validate that betaine can curb both oxidative and DNA damages triggered by UV rays proving the potential anti-ageing properties as well as its prospective uses in therapeutic and cosmetic settings.

Author Biographies

Dr Ramachandran, Center for research on Molecular and applied sciences

Research Head and Director, Center for research on molecular and Applied Sciences

Dr Renjini, Center for research on Molecular and applied sciences

Research co ordinator, Center for research on Molecular and Applied Sciences

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