Science fictions have always imagined characters that wish to remain eternally young. These characters are often depicted as villains as the price of their wish often comes at cost of humanity, has been general theme of this sci-fi movies and stories.
However there is high probablity in near future that anti-aging drugs will become a reality. People will now be able to slow their biological clocks simply by taking a pill.
Mitochondria are present in every cell of our body, their primary function is to convert glucose into chemical energy — a process that releases DNA-damaging free radicals. As this damage accumulates, mitochondria start malfunctioning which is main reason for aging.
It’s a controversial proposal, but not at all crazy! David Sinclair and Lenny Guarente of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, a fledgling biotechnology company say sirutin hold the key to the disease of aging.The company is currently testing a resveratrol derivative in people with diabetes; if it’s successful it could lead to a start of a new age in human health. Earlier resveratrol which is found in garpe leaves had helped extending lifespan of mice treating diabetes and obesity in them.
Source: WiredScience
Image: Thomas Moran, Ponce de Leon in Florida. (Ponce was looking for the Fountain of Youth.)