Scientists find natural mimetics of anti-cancer, anti-aging drugs metformin and rapamycin

Researchers from the Biogerontology Research Foundation, Insilico Medicine, Life Extension and other institutions have published a study in the journal Aging on the identification of natural mimetics of metformin and rapamycin. Metformin, a common type 2 diabetes drug, and rapamycin, a common anti-rejection drug, have both been shown to have substantial anti-aging and anti-cancer effects in a variety of model organisms. However, both compounds have known side effects and are regulated drugs for specific disease indications, factors that problematize their off-label use as healthspan-extending drugs.