Chaetomium globosum from Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep. enhances the antioxidative stress capacity of Caenorhabditis elegans

Background Medicinal plant endophytic fungi hold significant potential for producing natural antioxidants, as they thrive in environments rich in bioactive antioxidant compounds. Methods This study focuses on Chaetomium globosum , an endophytic fungus isolated from Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep., to explore the in vivo antioxidant activity associated with the ethyl acetate extract (CGE) and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Results The results indicated that CGE treatment enhances the stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans , stimulates the antioxidant protection mechanisms of C. elegans , and exhibits strong antioxidant activity in vivo . RNA-seq analysis showed that CGE regulates Fatty acid degradation, glutathione metabolism, longevity regulating pathway-multiple species and MAPK signaling pathway in C. elegans . This study offers an important reference to the utilization of CGE as an antioxidant in the food and medical sectors, while also establishing a theoretical framework for utilizing the C. globosum as a natural antioxidant source.