The chemical compounds used in the study were only tested in the lab – not on humans or animals. The concept of reversing the aging process is not a novel one. In fact, the Nobel Prize was awarded to Shinya Yamanaka and Sir John B. Gurdon in 2012 for their work on Yamanaka factors (OCT4, SOX2, and KLF4) in mammals. By activating these factors Yamanaka and Gurdon converted mature adult cells back into embryonic-like stem cells. In other words, they completely reversed aging to such an extreme, the cells reverted back to their dedifferentiated “precursor” form. Dedifferentiation can occur when epigenetic factors (in the form of external stimuli such as the chemical cocktail discussed earlier) cause reprogramming of cell gene activity and loss of specialization. The production of stem cells via this method was a revolutionary discovery. It opened up an entirely new field of science as well as concerns – cancer is also well-known for its ability to dedifferentiate and metastasize. Ultimately, the real question is whether or not this anti-aging strategy can work in humans without causing significant harm, cancer or worse. If so, perhaps Ponce de León’s mythical search for the fountain of youth isn’t as outlandish as once thought.
References:
- https://www.fnfresearch.com/anti-aging-market
- https://www.sciencealert.com/harvard-scientist-says-hes-found-a-cocktail-that-can-reverse-aging-in-human-cells
- https://www.aging-us.com/article/204896/text