An extract of willow bark has shown to be one of the most potent longevity-extending pharmacological interventions yet described in scientific literature.
A new Concordia-Idunn Technologies research collaboration provides insights into how 6 groups of molecules can slow biological aging. 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, aging progresses similarly in both yeast and humans. It’s the best cellular model to understand how the anti-aging process takes place. This has important implications not only for slowing the aging process, but also for preventing diseases associated with aging, including cancer.
“Rather than focus on curing the individual disease, interventions on the molecular processes of aging 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 aging 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.
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% and 369%, respectively. This represents a much greater effect than rapamycin and metformin, the two best drugs known for their anti-aging effects.
Each extract is a geroprotector which delays the onset and decreases the rate of aging via a hormetic stress response. Each extract has different effects on cellular processes incl: 1) increased mitochondrial respiration and membrane potential; 2) augmented or reduced concentrations of reactive oxygen species; 3) decreased oxidative damage to cellular proteins, membrane lipids, and mitochondrial and nuclear genomes; 4) enhanced cell resistance to oxidative and thermal stresses; and 5) accelerated degradation of neutral lipids deposited in lipid droplets.
“These 6 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 4 other universities for 6 research programs, to go beyond yeast, and work with an animal model of aging, as well as two cancer models.” http://www.concordia.ca/news/stories/cunews/main/stories/2016/03/15/molecules-that-may-keep-you-young-and-alive-vladimir-titorenko-idunn.html
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