Sirtuin

Sirtuin is an enzyme in our bodies that is thought to have a major impact on longevity. When researchers first noted that extra sirtuin prolonged the lives of worms and fruit flies, organisms that age like humans do, it was deemed by reputable scientists as the “guardian of the cell” that could delay cell death. However, new findings appear to show that the link between sirtuin and longevity may be more tenuous than originally believed. The debate has called into question the multi-billion research into drugs that mimic the longevity effects of sirtuins. Many anti-aging creams in the market are sold as containing a plant-derived drug that stimulates the production of sirtuins.

Longevity Drugs Begin Clinical Trials

A group of drugs that focus on reversing the effects of aging and age-related disease are in the beginning stages of clinical trials. Many of the drugs are intended to tap into the human body's own resources to resist disease and old age. For example, sirtuin activators attempt to mimick the effects of caloric restriction which has been shown to have a correlation with longevity in experiments with mice. Resveratrol is an example of a sirtuin-related drug that is in clinical trial. Source: New...

Glossary:

Longevity

Resveratrol

Sirtuin