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The geroprotective potential of chalcones
Didac Carmona-Gutierrez1,2, Andreas Zimmermann3,4,5, Guido Kroemer6,7,8
1Institute of Molecular Biosciences, NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria. carmonag@uni-graz.at.
Nature Communications
|October 15, 2025
Summary
Chalcones, plant metabolites, show promise as anti-aging compounds. 4,4'-dimethoxychalcone and others extend lifespan and offer protection against age-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and pharmacology
- Natural product chemistry
Background:
- Aging is a primary risk factor for major diseases like cardiovascular, neoplastic, metabolic, and neurodegenerative disorders.
- Geroprotective strategies, including lifestyle, nutrition, and pharmacology, aim to mitigate aging.
- Chalcones, a class of plant metabolites, are emerging as potential geroprotective agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence for chalcones, particularly 4,4 '-dimethoxychalcone, as geroprotective agents.
- To summarize the anti-aging effects of chalcones at cellular and organismal levels.
- To highlight the mechanistic pathways underlying chalcone-mediated protection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on chalcones and aging.
- Analysis of research demonstrating geroprotective effects and lifespan extension.
- Examination of mechanistic studies elucidating protective pathways.
Main Results:
- 4,4 '-dimethoxychalcone was identified as the first chalcone to promote lifespan extension across species.
- Multiple chalcones exhibit anti-aging properties at cellular and organismal levels.
- Specific mechanistic routes contributing to these protective effects have been identified.
Conclusions:
- Chalcones, especially 4,4 '-dimethoxychalcone, represent a promising class of compounds for geroprotection.
- Further research into chalcones could lead to novel interventions against age-related diseases.
- The identified mechanisms provide a basis for developing targeted anti-aging therapies.
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