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Published on: April 6, 2019
Emerging senolytic agents derived from natural products
Wen Li1, Lin Qin2, Rennan Feng3
1School of Pharmaceutical Science and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Department of Endocrinology, The Third People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan 650011, China.
Abstract:
Cellular senescence is a hallmark of aging, it is a permanent state of cell cycle arrest induced by cellular stresses. During the aging process, senescent cells (SCs) increasingly accumulate in tissues, causing a loss of tissue-repair capacity because of cell cycle arrest in progenitor cells and produce proinflammatory and matrix-degrading molecules which are known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and thereby contribute to the development of various age-related diseases. Genetic evidence has demonstrated that clearance of SCs can delay aging and extend healthspan. Senolytics, small molecules that can selectively kill SCs, have been developed to treat various age-related diseases. In recent years, emerging natural compounds have been discovered to be effective senolytic agents, such as quercetin, fisetin, piperlongumine and the curcumin analog. Some of the compounds have been validated in animal models and have great potential to be pushed to clinical applications. In this review, we will discuss cellular senescence and its potential as a target for treating age-related diseases, and summarize the known natural compounds as senolytic agents and their applications.
Insights
Cellular senescence, a key aging factor, involves cells that harm tissue repair and promote disease. Clearing these senescent cells (SCs) with senolytics, including natural compounds, shows promise for delaying aging and treating age-related conditions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cellular senescence is a permanent cell cycle arrest linked to aging.
- Accumulated senescent cells (SCs) impair tissue repair and drive age-related diseases via the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).
- Evidence suggests SC clearance can extend healthspan and delay aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cellular senescence as a therapeutic target for age-related diseases.
- To summarize natural compounds with senolytic activity.
- To discuss the potential of these natural senolytics in clinical applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cellular senescence.
- Analysis of senolytic compounds, focusing on natural products.
- Examination of preclinical data for senolytic agents.
Main Results:
- Senolytics selectively eliminate SCs.
- Natural compounds like quercetin, fisetin, piperlongumine, and curcumin analogs exhibit senolytic properties.
- Several natural senolytics have shown efficacy in animal models.
Conclusions:
- Cellular senescence is a viable target for anti-aging interventions.
- Natural compounds represent a promising class of senolytic agents.
- Further research and clinical translation of natural senolytics are warranted.
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