What is a senolytic compound and can it help you to stay youthful?

Senolytic agents are molecular compounds that induce cell death in rogue cells.

These rogue cells are known as senescent cells. They play a part in development throughout our life as they bring about tissue development in the growing the foetus and also promote regeneration and would repair later in life. However, if these cells accumulate with age, they secrete inflammatory proteins which results in cells starting to dysfunction and go rogue by pushing neighbouring cells into senescence.  This phenomenon is characterized by the cessation of cell division.

Researchers consider senescence as the driver of ageing and age-related diseases. In fact, studies have indicated that the destruction of senescent cells can slow down these age-related diseases and boost overall health.

Certain plant molecules have shown to play a positive role in removing senolytic cells from our body. Pre-clinical studies show that quercetin and fisetin act as senolytics by eliminating senescent cells resulting in delaying, preventing or alleviating multiple age- and senescence-related conditions, including vascular and diabetic conditions¹.  Other potential senolytics include resveratrol, pterostilbene and astragalus.