Researchers have screened a database of more than 6,400 drugs and identified 370 candidates that could impact the biological mechanisms of aging, with 21 showing potential life-extending effects, according to a study published in the journal Nature and reported by tn.nova.cz.
Biological Mechanisms Over Traditional Disease Treatment
Scientists aim to intervene directly in the biological processes of aging to prevent age-related illnesses before they develop.
Nir Barzilai, director of the aging research institute at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, told CNN that aging has its own biology, which is responsible for the emergence of a variety of diseases.
Instead of waiting for the onset of conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer, future medicine could target these cellular aging pathways.
Allan Boston, director of the Abu Dhabi Institute for a Healthier Life, stated that this changes the entire concept of medicine.
Epidemiologist Daniel Belsky noted that while it remains uncertain if this can be achieved, there is consistent evidence that it is possible, and there is now a mobilization of resources to test it.
Healthy diets and regular exercise lower epigenetic aging
A separate study published in Nature Medicine analyzed blood biomarkers known as epigenetic clocks to evaluate how specific lifestyle and pharmacological steps influence biological age.
Researchers combined data from 51 anti-aging intervention studies and measured over 110 DNA methylation biomarkers associated with aging.
According to the findings, adhering to healthy diets—such as Mediterranean, low-carbohydrate, or low-fat diets—alongside regular physical exercise effectively lowers epigenetic aging.
Pharmaceutical interventions demonstrate largest effects on DNA methylation
The Nature Medicine study found that pharmaceutical interventions demonstrated the largest average effects on DNA methylation patterns. Drugs including metformin for type 2 diabetes, semaglutide for weight control and diabetes, and anti-TNF therapies for inflammation significantly reduced biological age across all 16 evaluated epigenetic biomarkers.
Şebnem Ünlüişlerová, a longevity specialist and genetic engineer at the London Regenerative Institute who was not involved in the study, told Medical News Today that the use of a consistent panel of 16 epigenetic clocks and 94 other DNA methylation biomarkers allowed for a more systematic comparison of how different biomarkers respond to different interventions.
Meanwhile, the study found limited and inconsistent evidence for over-the-counter dietary supplements in reversing aging markers, though they remain valuable for people with specific nutrient deficiencies.
Questions About Longevity Research
Can over-the-counter supplements reverse aging?
The study published in Nature Medicine found limited and inconsistent evidence regarding the anti-aging effects of standard dietary supplements. Researchers noted that while supplements help individuals with specific deficiencies, claims about reversing biological aging for the general population lack robust support.
Raghav Sehgal of the Yale School of Medicine, an author of the study, said it is reasonable to prioritize sleep, exercise, diet, and preventive care first, and only discuss supplements with a doctor if necessary.
Which prescription drugs showed effects on epigenetic markers?
Data from 51 trials analyzed in the study showed that metformin, semaglutide, and anti-TNF therapies significantly reduced the biological age across all 16 tested epigenetic biomarkers, though researchers emphasized these results largely stem from treating underlying conditions like inflammation and metabolic disorders.
How do scientists measure biological age?
Biological age is measured through blood biomarkers called epigenetic clocks by tracking methyl groups attached to DNA, which change throughout a person’s life and shift in response to specific diet, exercise, and pharmacological interventions.