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Resveratrol and rapamycin: are they anti-aging drugs?

Matt Kaeberlein1

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. kaeber@u.washington.edu

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|January 22, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Anti-aging interventions like resveratrol and rapamycin, identified in model organisms, are now being tested in humans. These compounds target conserved longevity pathways and show promise for treating age-related diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Basic aging research has identified interventions in model organisms.
  • Compounds like resveratrol and rapamycin target conserved longevity pathways.
  • These interventions may mimic effects of dietary restriction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the translation of anti-aging interventions from model organisms to human studies.
  • To highlight the potential of resveratrol and rapamycin in combating aging and age-related diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of studies on resveratrol and rapamycin in model organisms (yeast, invertebrates, rodents).
  • Examination of ongoing and approved clinical applications in humans.
  • Analysis of effects on aging hallmarks and age-associated diseases.

Main Results:

  • Resveratrol and rapamycin slow aging in yeast and invertebrates.
  • Rapamycin extends lifespan in rodents.
  • Both compounds show efficacy in rodent models of age-related diseases.
  • Resveratrol is in clinical trials for cancer; rapamycin is approved for human use.

Conclusions:

  • Interventions identified from longevity studies hold promise for treating multiple age-related diseases.
  • Targeting molecular causes of aging offers a therapeutic strategy for age-related conditions.

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