Investigating the Mechanisms of Piperlongumine

The present candidate senolytic drugs that produce selective destruction of senescent cells, done as a means to prevent their contribution to the aging process, all arrive from the cancer research community, where they have been tested for their ability to destroy cancerous cells. Piperlongumine is no exception. Here researchers explore more its likely mechanisms, with a focus on the outcome of increased oxidative stress in the cell due to reduced levels of the antioxidant glutathione, among other possibilities. Recent research suggests, however, that increased oxidative stress isn't the mechanism by which cells are pushed into self-destruction by piperlongumine. While adding new information, the research noted below - there is an open access paper in addition to the publicity materials - doesn't greatly clarify the uncertainty over the way in which piperlongumine works, nor does it clarify whether the method is the same for cancerous and senescent cells. Like many drugs, piperlongumine influences a large number of distinct processes in the cell, and there is no comprehensive map of outcomes. The reason why it is interesting as a potential senolytic therapy, versus other cancer drugs where the mechanisms of action are better mapped, is that it has far fewer side-effects in comparison. Scientists have uncovered the chemical process behind anti-cancer properties of a spicy Indian pepper plant called the long pepper, whose suspected medicinal properties date back thousa...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs