A similar effect of DMS was observed in C. elegans. MitoSOX red was used to detect the superoxide contents in aged C. elegans (Fig. 3C,D). The amount of superoxide in aged worms (reach median lifespan of control group) increased to 330 ± 44% of the superoxide level of adult worms (P < 0.01). Treatment with 10 μm DMS remarkably decreased superoxide content to 228 ± 26% (P < 0.01). Worms were fed with DMS medium at three different concentrations: 1, 5 and 10 μm. The mean survival time of DMS‐treated worms was extended from 21.00 ± 0.52 day to 22.77 ± 0.59 day (1 μm), 25.23 ± 0.72 day (5 μm), and 26.11 ± 0.71 day (10 μm), respectively (Fig. 3E, P < 0.01). The MDA content decreased significantly with DMS (5 μm) treatment in aged worms from 161 ± 10% to 125 ± 13% of control (Fig. 3F, P < 0.05). These results support the hypothesis that DMS mediates longevity via alleviating the accumulated oxidative damage in aged animals.