A new Concordia research collaboration with Idunn Technologies provides insight into how certain chemicals can slow biological ageing
Even though the search for the Fountain of Youth dates back to the ancient Greeks, the quest to live forever continues today. Indeed, it has been said that the ability to slow the ageing process would be the most important medical discovery in the modern era.
A new study published in the journal Oncotarget by researchers from Concordia and the Quebec-based biotech company Idunn Technologies may have uncovered an important factor: plant extracts containing the six best groups of anti-ageing molecules ever seen.
For the study, the research team combed through Idunn Technologies’ extensive biological library, conducting more than 10,000 trials to screen for plant extracts that would increase the chronological lifespan of yeast.
Why yeast? Cellularly speaking, ageing progresses similarly in both yeast and humans. It’s the best cellular model to understand how the anti-ageing process takes place.
“In total, we found six new groups of molecules that decelerate the chronological ageing of yeast,” says Vladimir Titorenko, the study’s senior author and a professor in the Department of Biology at Concordia. He carried out the study with a group of Concordia students and Éric Simard, the founder of Idunn Technologies, which is named for the goddess of rejuvenation in Norse mythology.
This has important implications not only for slowing the ageing process, but also for preventing certain diseases associated with ageing, including cancer.
“Rather than focus on curing the individual disease, interventions on the molecular processes of ageing can simultaneously delay the onset and progression of most age-related disorders. This kind of intervention is predicted to have a much larger effect on healthy ageing and life expectancy than can be attained by treating individual diseases,” says Simard, who notes that these new molecules will soon be available in commercial products.
“These results also provide new insights into mechanisms through which chemicals extracted from certain plants can slow biological ageing,” says Titorenko.
One of these groups of molecules is the most potent longevity-extending pharmacological intervention yet described in scientific literature: a specific extract of willow bark.
Willow bark was commonly used during the time of Hippocrates, when people were advised to chew on it to relieve pain and fever. The study showed that it increases the average and maximum chronological lifespan of yeast by 475 per cent and 369 per cent, respectively. This represents a much greater effect than rapamycin and metformin, the two best drugs known for their anti-ageing effects.
“These six extracts have been recognized as non-toxic by Health Canada, and already exhibit recognized health benefits in humans,” says Simard.
“But first, more research must be done. That’s why Idunn Technologies is collaborating with four other universities for six research programs, to go beyond yeast, and work with an animal model of ageing, as well as two cancer models.”
Learn more: Molecules that may keep you young — and alive
The Latest on: Biological ageing
via Google News
The Latest on: Biological ageing
- UC San Diego study: Biological age, not birthdate may reveal healthy longevityon August 1, 2022 at 3:07 pm
A first-of-its-kind study of 1,813 older women suggests that the accelerated biological aging of the body — epigenetic age acceleration ...
- Covid infection may accelerate brain ageing says new studyon August 1, 2022 at 3:50 am
Covid-19 infections may predispose individuals to developing irreversible neurological conditions, finds a study.
- 8 things science says will accelerate ageingon August 1, 2022 at 2:11 am
As a new study confirms drinking too much really does make you look older, Lisa Salmon looks into other lifestyle factors that may contribute too ...
- Epigenetic age acceleration could be used as a biomarker to estimate functional and cognitive agingon July 27, 2022 at 3:40 pm
A first-of-its-kind study of 1,813 older women suggests that the accelerated biological aging of the body -; epigenetic age acceleration specifically -; is associated with lower odds of living to be ...
- Biological age, not birthdate may reveal healthy longevityon July 27, 2022 at 9:45 am
A first-of-its-kind study of 1,813 older women suggests that the accelerated biological aging of the body—epigenetic age acceleration specifically—is associated with lower odds of living to be 90 ...
- Genetic Evidence That Alcohol Accelerates Biological Agingon July 27, 2022 at 2:05 am
Researchers from Oxford Population Health have published results from a new genetic-based analysis which suggest that alcohol directly accelerates aging by damaging DNA in telomeres.
- Huge genetic study suggests alcohol accelerates biological agingon July 26, 2022 at 9:37 pm
A comprehensive new Oxford study has added to the growing body of research highlighting the health effects of alcohol. The large-scale genetic analysis suggests that alcohol consumption directly ...
- Genetic study provides evidence that alcohol accelerates biological agingon July 26, 2022 at 10:30 am
The short-term effects of excessive drinking are well known, but to date it has been less certain whether alcohol also accelerates the aging process.
- Rewind your biological clock and reverse ageingon July 26, 2022 at 5:42 am
As a rule, when someone says let’s reverse ageing, the first thought that comes to mind is ageing therapies or surgeries and fillers. But these are methods that only tackle the outcome of the ageing ...
- How to live longer: A popular drink that 'accelerates biological ageing' – avoidon July 25, 2022 at 5:00 pm
DIET is one key factor when it comes to longevity. While living longer, and in good health, is an ideal goal for many, one popular drink could be taking years away from you.
via Bing News