Check out this answer from Consensus:
Research indicates that various natural compounds possess anti-aging properties by acting as antioxidants, inhibiting aging-related enzymes, and modulating critical signaling pathways. These compounds, found in dietary sources and traditional medicines, offer promising strategies for delaying aging and improving health span. While more research is needed, especially in human trials, the current evidence supports the potential of these natural compounds in anti-aging interventions.
Aging is a complex biological process influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. It is characterized by a decline in physiological functions and an increased risk of age-related diseases. Recent research has focused on identifying natural compounds that can delay aging and improve health span by targeting various molecular pathways.
Key Insights
- Antioxidant Activity:
- Inhibition of Aging-Related Enzymes:
- Modulation of Signaling Pathways:
- Dietary Interventions:
- Traditional Medicine:
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other herbal remedies contain numerous natural compounds that have been identified to have anti-aging effects, acting through multiple biochemical pathways8.
- Preclinical and Clinical Evidence:
- Compounds like quercetin, resveratrol, curcumin, and rapamycin have shown significant anti-aging effects in model organisms and are currently being tested in preclinical trials for their potential to extend human lifespan7.
Do anti-aging compounds exist?
Karl Riabowol has answered Uncertain
An expert from University of Calgary in Cell Biology, Anti-Ageing, Biochemistry, Genetics
Several candidate anti-aging compounds do exist such as metformin and rapamycin that have been shown to extend lifespan in test organisms such as worms, flies and mice. Compounds that eliminate senescent cells from the body called senolytics may also have anti-aging properties. However, to date, no experiments have demonstrated beneficial effects in humans but these are the early days of aging research.
Do anti-aging compounds exist?
Lizzy Ostler has answered Near Certain
An expert from University of Brighton in Chemistry, Gerontology
As other respondents have noted Rapamycin has been shown to have a wide range of positive effects associated with extending healthy life in animal models. A closely related compound, Everolimus, has also been shown to “rejuvenate the immune” system in older people. This work is discussed in the review article here https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4359240/
There is also some very promising research on “senolytic” compounds. These are designed to selectively remove senescent cells from the body and so reduce the consequences of their inflammatory behavior – such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease and even dementias. The Kirkland group are leading the way in this area ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7405395/ )
Finally, there is evidence that some compounds can safely rejuvenate senescent cells in vitro (changing their behaviour back to that of young cells, without making them cancerous), and this may lead to alternative therapies for age related degeneration. https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/504845
Do anti-aging compounds exist?
Zac Wylde has answered Uncertain
An expert from UNSW Sydney in Evolutionary Biology, Entomology, Anti-Ageing, Behavioural Science, Reproductive Biology
The drug metformin, usually prescribed to manage type 2 diabetes, has been touted as a way to delay the onset of a range of age-related diseases, thus increasing “health-span” (how long we remain healthy).
Nir Barzilai, director of the Institute for Ageing Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine is seeking approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the first clinical trial of metformin to treat ageing.
But other researchers are concerned, as metformin intake has been associated with a higher risk of B vitamin deficiencies. Some studies suggest this can result in cognitive dysfunction.
One 2018 study found metformin can reduce aerobic capacity and quash the benefits of excercise – something we know to help fight the effects of old age.
Metformin also shows mixed results in its effects on ageing depending on which model organism is used (such as rats, flies or worms). This raises doubts about whether its supposed anti-ageing capabilities would apply to humans.
Another compound of interest is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). This naturally occurring substance is vital to energy metabolism in most animals including humans, plants, bacteria and even yeast. In mice and humans, NAD levels appear to decline as we age.
NAD and compounds like resveratrol (a chemical isolated from wine) have been shown to work together to maintain the function of our mitochondria – the structures that produce energy inside our cells – and thus fight off ageing in mice. But this research lacks much-needed human trials.
I have adapted this answer from my original article in The Conversation
Do anti-aging compounds exist?
Janet Thornton has answered Uncertain
An expert from European Bioinformatics Institute in Bioinformatics, Anti-Ageing, Cell Biology
There is very limited data in mice that rapamycin extends life. As far as I am aware there is no equivalent data for humans.