Table 1 Summary of topical medications with anti-aging properties
Compound (chemical class) | Sources | Medication/supplement name(s) | Effects on organism | Clinical trial phase | Targets | Side effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aspirin | Meadow sweet Willow bark Blueberry Broccoli Cauliflower Eggplant Kiwi Grapes | Ecotrin Aspir 81 Aspir-low Aspirin low strength | Anti-inflammation Anti-cancer Anti-stress | Pain reliever/fever reducer (FDA-approved) T2D (phase 3/4) Heart disease (phase 3/4) Atherosclerosis (phase 4) Cancers (phases 1/2/3/4) Obesity (phase 1) | COX-1, COX-2, PTGS2, NF-κB, AMPK | Diarrhea Headache Loss of appetite Vomiting Weight gain |
Curcumin (polyphenol) | Curry spice Ginger Turmeric | Theracurmin Meriva Longvida BCM-95 | Anti-inflammation Anti-cancer Anti-atherogenic Anti-diabetic Anti-depressant Neuro-protective Anti-stress | GRAS by FDA AD (phase 2) Cancer (phase 2) | NF-κB, COX-1, COX-2, TNF-α, p53, PPARγ, TR, Nrf2, FAK, Src, GSK3, AP1, TOR, LOX, AMPK | Flatulence Nausea Diarrhea |
Epigallo-catechin gallate | Green tea Apples Blackberry Carob flour | Green tea extract | Anti-inflammation Anti-cancer Anti-amiloid Anti-atherogenic Anti-obesity Anti-diabetic Neuro-protective Anti-stress | GRAS by FDA AD (phase 2/3) | Bcl2, NOS2, LamR, EGFR, Telomerase, Topoisomerase II, DNMT1 | Headache Nervousness Vomiting Diarrhea Irritability Irregular heartbeat Dizziness |
Fisetin (flavonoid) | Acacias parrot tree Honey locust onion Strawberry Apple Grapes | Fisetin | Anti-inflammation Anti-cancer Anti-atherogenic Anti-obesity Anti-diabetic Anti-oxidant CR mimetic Anti-stress | Preclinical studies | Akt, Cdk6, mTOR, PI3 K, ERK | Not reported |
Melatonin (biogenic amine) | Tomato Cereal Walnut Olive oil Strawberry Milk Wine Beer | Melatonin Circadin Clocktonin | Neuro-protective Anti-stress Anti-migraine Sedation Sleep quality Anti-depressive Anti-stress | GRAS by FDA Cancers (phases 1/2/3/4) Glucose tolerance (phase 3) Insomnia (phase 2) T2D (phase 2) Alzheimer’s disease (phase 2) | MT1, MT2, MT3, GPR50 | Headache Depression Sleepiness Dizziness Irritability |
Metformin (biguanide) | Chemically synthesized | Act Metformin Bio-metformin Fortamet Glucophage Glumetza Metformin Riomet | Anti-inflammation Anti-cancer Anti-atherogenic Anti-diabetic Anti-depressant Neuro-protective Cardio-protective CR mimetic | T2D (phase 4) Obesity (phase 4) Impaired glucose tolerance (phase 4) | AMPK | Lactic acidosis Diarrhea Nausea Vomiting Flatulence |
Quercetin (flavonoid) | Greens Berries Tomato Broccoli Onions Tea leaves | Quercetin | Anti-atherogenic Anti-inflammation Cardio-protective Anti-oxidant | GRAS by FDA T2D (phase 1) CVD (phase 1) | SIRT1, PLA2, PI3K, pp60src Phospho-transferase, Protein kinases, Cyclic GMP phospho-diesterases | Not reported |
Resveratrol (polyphenol) | Grapes Wine Raspberry Plums Acai Peanuts | Resveratrol | Anti-inflammation Anti-cancer Anti-atherogenic Anti-obesity Neuro-protective Cardio-protective CR mimetic Anti-stress | GRAS by FDA AD (phase 3) Cognitive impairment (phase 4) | Sirt2, p53 AMPK, PGC1-α | Intestinal upset Nausea |
Rapamycin | Streptomyces hygroscopicus | Rapamycin Sirolimus Rapamun | Anti-inflammation Anti-cancer Anti-amiloid Anti-atherogenic Neuro-protective Cardio-protective CR mimetic Anti-stress | CVD (phase 3) Tuberous sclerosis (phase 3) Cancers (phases 1/2/3/4) | mTOR | Suppression of immune system Hepatotoxicity |
Statins | Oyster Mushrooms Red yeast rice Soy products Grains Cauliflower Onion Apple Orange | Atorvastatin Fluvastatin Lovastatin Pitavastatin Pravastatin Rosuvastatin Simvastatin | Anti-hyperlipidemic Cardio-protective Anti-diabetic Anti-atherogenic Anti-inflammation Anti-Alzheimer’s | Hypercholesterolemia (FDA-approved) CVD (phase 4) Myocardial infarction (phase 4) Sexual dysfunction (phase 4) T2D (phase 4) Schizophrenia (phase 4) | Hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase | Headache Depression Sleepiness Dizziness Diarrhea Memory loss Diabetes |