Abstract

Background Senescent cells accumulate with age and contribute to age-related diseases, which makes their selective elimination a promising strategy for therapeutic intervention. Tubeimoside I (TBMS1), a natural triterpenoid saponin derived from Bolbostemma paniculatum, has been extensively studied for its anticancer properties. However, its potential role as a senolytics has yet to be determined. Purpose This study elucidates the anti-aging effects and underlying mechanism of TBMS1 in vivo and in vitro. Methods The anti-aging effects of TBMS1 were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo using CCK-8, senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. Furthermore, its potential targets and underlying mechanism were investigated through thermal proteome profiling and comprehensive whole-proteome analysis. Results We identified that TBMS1 is a senolytic agent. We identified that TBMS1 specifically targeted sodium/potassium-ATPase alpha 1 subunit (ATP1A1), a protein involved in maintaining ion homeostasis, which was highly expressed in senescent cells. TBMS1 modulated ATP1A1 activity, leading to altered intracellular potassium dynamics and disruption of ion homeostasis, which contributed to mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in senescent cells. In vivo, TBMS1 improved motor function, reduced senescence markers, and alleviated tissue damage in both radiation-induced and naturally aged mouse models, without significant toxicity observed. Conclusion These findings position TBMS1 as a promising and mechanistically distinct senolytic candidate, offering new insights into ion homeostasis modulation as a therapeutic strategy for aging and senescence-related disorders.