Fizetin is a candidate for senolytics
A rejuvenating molecule was found in vegetables and fruits
Sergey Kolenov, Hi-tech+
We are talking about physetine – a substance from the group of flavonoids. So far, the anti-aging effect has been proven only for cell cultures and rodents, but scientists hope to study the effects on humans soon.
When our cells age and lose their ability to divide, the immune system removes them from the body. However, with age, the process of "cleaning" becomes less and less effective. According to one theory, the accumulation of aging cells is the main cause of many age–related diseases.
Some compounds – the so–called senolytics - can stimulate the removal of cells that have served their time and, thus, slow down the aging process.
A team of researchers, whose work is described in a press release from the University of Minnesota Medical School Researchers Have Discovered How to Slow Aging, has discovered an effective senolytic in the composition of vegetables and fruits. This substance is called physetin and belongs to the group of flavonoids.
The scientists tested ten different flavonoid compounds on human cell cultures and tissues. Fizetin has demonstrated the strongest senolytic effects. In addition, the introduction of this substance made it possible to prolong the life of experimental mice. Physetin had a particularly pronounced effect on the body of elderly animals.
This is not the first study to discover the beneficial properties of physetin. For example, in 2014, experiments on mice with an analog of Alzheimer's disease showed that this compound is able to prevent memory loss and cognitive abilities.
Currently, all experiments with physetin are carried out on cell cultures or on rodents. It is necessary to transfer these discoveries to humans with caution, scientists warn. However, since physetin is often found in our food, it seems to be safe. This will allow us to switch to clinical trials in humans in the near future.
According to an alternative hypothesis, the key factor of aging is a reduction in the length of telomeres, the end sections of the DNA molecule. Some startups are already trying to influence telomeres to prolong the life of customers. Skeptics consider this practice pseudoscientific.
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