Scientists have been in a race to search out a “fountain of youth” pill that has the potential to extend longevity or reverse aging. Are we there yet? Looks like we’re a step closer to the ever-elusive elixir of life.

In what may very well be a groundbreaking discovery, a gaggle of researchers from Harvard has identified six chemical cocktails that they are saying can reverse the aging process in each human and mouse skin cells.

“Grateful to share our latest publication: We have previously shown age reversal is feasible using gene therapy to activate embryonic genes. Now we show it’s possible with chemical cocktails, a step towards inexpensive whole-body rejuvenation,” tweeted Dr. David Sinclair, a molecular biologist at Harvard Medical School and co-author of the study.

Grateful to share our latest publication: We’ve previously shown age reversal is feasible using gene therapy to activate embryonic genes. Now we show it’s possible with chemical cocktails, a step towards inexpensive whole-body rejuvenation 1/17 https://t.co/J9c01lv5FQ

— David Sinclair (@davidasinclair) July 12, 2023

“We discover six chemical cocktails, which, in lower than every week and without compromising cellular identity, restore a youthful genome-wide transcript profile and reverse transcriptomic age. Thus, rejuvenation by age reversal could be achieved, not only by genetic, but in addition chemical means, ” the researchers wrote within the study published within the journal Aging.

The study evaluated the impact of a drug concoction that accommodates the expansion hormone metformin and a drug that prompts the enzyme-activated protein kinase (AMPK) within the rejuvenation of aged muscles, liver tissue and other organs.

“Studies on the optic nerve, brain tissue, kidney and muscle have shown promising results, with improved vision and prolonged lifespan in mice and, recently, in April of this yr, improved vision in monkeys,” Dr. Sinclair said.

The team claimed they found age-reversing effects with all six combos. The impact of a four-day treatment using the cocktails was comparable to the full change seen after a yr of a regenerative treatment in a landmark study from 2019.

“This latest discovery offers the potential to reverse aging with a single pill, with applications starting from improving eyesight to effectively treating age-related diseases,” Dr. Sinclair added.

Nevertheless, some researchers receive the findings with a pinch of skepticism. Matt Kaeberlein, a biogerontologist, told Earth that it’s only a preliminary study and the researchers should validate a minimum of one in all the concoctions in an animal model for its effectiveness in age-related health metrics or lifespan.

Dr. Charles Brenner, a metabolism researcher, raised concerns concerning the safety of the drugs utilized in the cocktails. “These are generally not protected alone or in a mix,” Brenner said.

Published by Medicaldaily.com