15 new groups of molecules to fight against aging and protect our cells; one step closer to staying healthy longer, new study shows.

A Concordia researcher, supported by Idunn Technologies, discovers new natural compounds that could promote longevity in health and reduce the incidence of associated diseases.

These discoveries could allow us to stay healthy longer and maintain our ability to enjoy life. Everyone wants to still be able to travel at an advanced age, to play with their grandchildren, and to remain independent. This research could increase your chances of success.

The recent pandemic has highlighted the importance of staying healthy so that you can better fight an infection or disease, if necessary. A Concordia University researcher has discovered 15 new plant extracts that help fight, not against infection, but against aging.millepertuis Research in the field marks a turning point in human health and preventive medicine. These natural molecules could help prevent all the diseases associated with aging, not one at a time, but all at the same time. It is therefore a question of reducing the incidence of common ailments such as osteoarthritis, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. This approach has already been called “the ultimate preventative medicine” in the prestigious journal, Science.

Vladimir Titorenko, professor of biology at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Concordia, has been collaborating since 2013 with Éric Simard, president of the company, Idunn Technologies, to discover new anti-aging molecules. This work has just been published in the scientific journal, Oncotarget. The TransBIOTech research center and the Cégep de Lévis-Lauzon also participated in these studies.

The research platform uses yeast to identify and understand how these natural compounds slow down aging and make cells more resistant to stress. It is a research model recognized worldwide for more than 10 years. This work presents the best results obtained so far and the molecules used come from plant extracts. These fifteen new groups of molecules are added to the 6 already discovered molecules, to form a bank of 21 new aging modulators. Two families of patents have been filed to protect these discoveries.

“We now have a large number of anti-aging plant extracts that may reduce the incidence or progression of age-related diseases in humans,” said Dr. Vladimir Titorenko. This researcher devotes his efforts to understanding the molecular mechanisms that allow cells to resist aging.

Dr. Titorenko states that “With the aging of the population, the possibility of keeping people healthy longer constitutes a major advance which could have repercussions, not just in economic terms, but for the quality of life of the population and the capacity of the health care system in general”. Keeping in mind that research on primary aging aims above all to keep people healthy longer, which could reduce the costs associated with the aging population.

Slow down aging and increase cellular stress resistance with molecules from Saw Palmetto, St. John’s Wort, Holy Basil or other herbal remedies.

The recently published results were obtained from specific plant extracts, already recognized for various health benefits. Professor Titorenko’s team identified the new anti-aging molecules from a long list of extracts from different parts of the plants studied.basilic sacré The new positive extracts (PE for “plant extract”) are numbered as follows: PE26 (Serenoa repens), PE39 (Hypericum perforatum), PE42 (Ilex paraguariensis), PE47 (Ocimum tenuiflorum), PE59 (Solidago virgaurea), PE64 (Citrus sinensis ), PE68 (Humulus lupulus), PE69 (Vitis vinifera), PE72 (Andrographis paniculata), PE75 (Hydrastis canadensis), PE77 (Trigonella foenumgraecum), PE78 (Berberis vulgaris), PE79 (Crataegus monogyna), PE81 (Taraxacum erythrospermum) and PE83 (Ilex paraguariensis).

The results of this research have clearly demonstrated that the beneficial effects observed on longevity are linked to the slowing of aging in yeast cells. “The identification of these new modulators could allow the development of new specialized products for healthy aging.”, explains Professor Titorenko.

A Quebec company, Idunn Technologies, is working to develop a large number of applications of these research results for human health. Éric Simard is the co-editor of the article, CEO of Idunn Technologies and author of 4 books on healthy longevity (www.esimard.com). He explains that the company decided to market the fruits of this research by focusing on the optimization of natural products targeting the main health problems related to aging. These more effective products are marketed under the Vitoli brand in almost all pharmacies in Quebec, a large number of pharmacies in New Brunswick, a few in Ontario, and they are available online for all of Canada (www.vitoli.ca). The company aims to reintroduce higher quality natural products into the practice of pharmacists and doctors.

“Other products are currently in development and our positioning is to offer the most effective products, optimized for their benefits on the primary aging of the organism.”, explains Dr. Eric Simard, PhD in biology and researcher in the field of aging. “The published results separate the new modulators of aging into two groups: the strict mimicry of calorie restriction and those which also allow an improvement in cellular maintenance mechanisms.”

“Our previous work with Concordia University and Transbiotech has shown that it is by optimizing the synergistic effects of the different metabolic pathways that it will be possible to obtain the best results and to live as long as possible in good health. The results presented also include analyses of the metabolic activity of mitochondria, the oxidation of membrane lipids, as well as the oxidation of proteins, DNA from mitochondria, and DNA from the cell nucleus. These anti-aging extracts, also called geroprotective or caloric restriction mimetics, increase the resistance of cells to oxidative stress and temperature. Improved cellular functioning reduces damage to cells while increasing their resistance to difficult situations. “Reduce wear and increase maintenance and cellular resistance; that’s the secret to health longevity.”, concluded Dr. Simard.

Research is continuing to optimize the anti-aging effects and better understand the mechanisms of cellular action. The research team is able to identify the cellular mechanisms involved and even go so far as to describe how these mechanisms are implemented by cells. The latest article published by the research team in 2019 focused on the confirmation of three mechanisms of action of the most effective plant extract identified so far. It is the highest level of refinement in basic research on aging. The information that will be obtained in the coming years could allow the development of new drugs.

This study was supported by a joint ARD-CRD (Applied Research and Development – Cooperative Research and Development) grant from Canada’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). The work was also funded by the Concordia University Research Chairs Fund, a Concordia University Graduate Scholarship, and a Concordia University Excellence Scholarship.