Epigenetic Insights Into Aging: Emerging Roles of Natural Products in Therapeutic Interventions

Aging is a significant contributor to numerous diseases and presents serious challenges to public health. Consequently, investigating the underlying mechanisms of aging and developing effective interventions to combat its effects have become increasingly important, as achieving healthy aging has emerged as a growing priority. A primary characteristic of aging is the epigenetic changes that occur within the genome. Epigenetic regulation, functioning as a reversible mechanism, closely links gene composition to phenotype and plays a crucial role in reversing aging in response to environmental stimuli. Epigenetics involves modifying phenotype or gene expression by regulating posttranscriptional levels without altering the DNA sequence. These mechanisms are vital to the aging process and are anticipated to become key targets for delaying aging and improving or preventing age-related diseases in the future. Recent studies have indicated that natural product therapy has emerged as one of the most promising strategies for mitigating the effects of aging. The application of natural products acting via the epigenetic regulation in therapy is particularly flexible and controllable, facilitating practical use while reducing the risk of drug resistance and enhancing host immune responses. This article reviews the current research status and advancements in epigenetic pathways within the realm of anti-aging drugs, proposing future research directions and potential development trends. The aim is to provide a reference for researchers in the field of epigenetics while offering ideas and suggestions for subsequent studies.