Integrative Biology Journals

Natural Products and Bioprospecting ›› 2022, Vol. 12 ›› Issue (3): 18-18.DOI: 10.1007/s13659-022-00339-y

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Antiaging agents: safe interventions to slow aging and healthy life span extension

Ji-Kai Liu   

  1. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
  • Received:2022-03-11 Online:2022-06-24 Published:2022-06-24
  • Contact: Ji-Kai Liu,E-mail:liujikai@mail.scuec.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    The author would like to thank the funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant numbers 21961142008, 22177138).

Antiaging agents: safe interventions to slow aging and healthy life span extension

Ji-Kai Liu   

  1. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
  • 通讯作者: Ji-Kai Liu,E-mail:liujikai@mail.scuec.edu.cn
  • 基金资助:
    The author would like to thank the funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant numbers 21961142008, 22177138).

Abstract: Human longevity has increased dramatically during the past century. More than 20% of the 9 billion population of the world will exceed the age of 60 in 2050. Since the last three decades, some interventions and many preclinical studies have been found to show slowing aging and increasing the healthy lifespan of organisms from yeast, flies, rodents to nonhuman primates. The interventions are classified into two groups: lifestyle modifications and pharmacological/genetic manipulations. Some genetic pathways have been characterized to have a specific role in controlling aging and lifespan. Thus, all genes in the pathways are potential antiaging targets. Currently, many antiaging compounds target the calorie-restriction mimetic, autophagy induction, and putative enhancement of cell regeneration, epigenetic modulation of gene activity such as inhibition of histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases, are under development. It appears evident that the exploration of new targets for these antiaging agents based on biogerontological research provides an incredible opportunity for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. The present review focus on the properties of slow aging and healthy life span extension of natural products from various biological resources, endogenous substances, drugs, and synthetic compounds, as well as the mechanisms of targets for antiaging evaluation. These bioactive compounds that could benefit healthy aging and the potential role of life span extension are discussed.

Key words: Antiaging agents, Antiaging targets, Healthy lifespan extension, Natural products, Endogenous substances, Longevity

摘要: Human longevity has increased dramatically during the past century. More than 20% of the 9 billion population of the world will exceed the age of 60 in 2050. Since the last three decades, some interventions and many preclinical studies have been found to show slowing aging and increasing the healthy lifespan of organisms from yeast, flies, rodents to nonhuman primates. The interventions are classified into two groups: lifestyle modifications and pharmacological/genetic manipulations. Some genetic pathways have been characterized to have a specific role in controlling aging and lifespan. Thus, all genes in the pathways are potential antiaging targets. Currently, many antiaging compounds target the calorie-restriction mimetic, autophagy induction, and putative enhancement of cell regeneration, epigenetic modulation of gene activity such as inhibition of histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases, are under development. It appears evident that the exploration of new targets for these antiaging agents based on biogerontological research provides an incredible opportunity for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. The present review focus on the properties of slow aging and healthy life span extension of natural products from various biological resources, endogenous substances, drugs, and synthetic compounds, as well as the mechanisms of targets for antiaging evaluation. These bioactive compounds that could benefit healthy aging and the potential role of life span extension are discussed.

关键词: Antiaging agents, Antiaging targets, Healthy lifespan extension, Natural products, Endogenous substances, Longevity