Natural products as geroprotectors: An autophagy perspective. Issue 6 (10th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Raj, Stephen D.; Fann, David Y.; Wong, Esther; Kennedy, Brian K.
• Other Names: Xu Chengchao guestEditor.; Jigang Wang guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Medicinal research reviews. Volume 41:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 3118
• Page End: 3155
• Publication Date: 2021-05-10
• Subjects: ageing -- autophagy -- drug discovery -- fatty acids and phospholipids -- geroscience -- lipids -- lithium -- natural products -- resveratrol -- spermidine -- trehalose -- Urolithin A; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Research -- Periodicals; 615
• DOI: 10.1002/med.21815
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0198-6325

Abstract

Abstract: Over the past decade, significant attention has been given to repurposing Food and Drug Administration approved drugs to treat age‐related diseases. In contrast, less consideration has been given to natural bioactive compounds. Consequently, there have been limited attempts to translate these compounds. Autophagy is a fundamental biological pathway linked to aging, and numerous strategies to enhance autophagy have been shown to extend lifespan. Interestingly, there are a number of natural products that are reported to modulate autophagy, and here we describe a number of them that activate autophagy through diverse molecular and cellular mechanisms. Among these, Urolithin A, Spermidine, Resveratrol, Fatty Acids and Phospholipids, Trehalose and Lithium are featured in detail. Finally, we outline possible strategies to optimise and increase the translatability of natural products, with the overall aim of delaying the ageing process and improving human healthspan.