Scientists from the University of Liverpool have found that rilmenidine, a drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure, may help extend lifespan and slow down aging. Their study showed that animals treated with this medication lived longer and remained healthier, whether they started the treatment early or later in life.
The researchers discovered that rilmenidine mimics the effects of caloric restriction, a well-known method for promoting longevity across different species. Caloric restriction—reducing calorie intake without malnutrition—has been shown to extend lifespan in many animals.
However, its effects on humans have been less clear, and strict calorie restriction can have unwanted side effects. Because of this, scientists have been searching for drugs that can provide similar benefits without requiring major lifestyle changes.
The study found that rilmenidine works through a specific receptor called I1-imidazoline receptor nish-1, which the researchers identified as a possible target for longevity treatments. This discovery opens the door to new research on how this drug, and others like it, might help slow aging.
Unlike many other drugs studied for anti-aging effects, rilmenidine is already widely prescribed for high blood pressure and has a well-known safety profile. It is taken orally and has only mild, rare side effects, making it a promising candidate for potential human use in anti-aging therapy.
With a growing aging population, even a small delay in aging could have huge benefits for public health. Researchers believe that repurposing existing drugs, like rilmenidine, to extend lifespan and improve health in old age could be a practical and efficient approach.
This is the first time that rilmenidine has been shown to increase lifespan in animals, and the researchers are now eager to explore whether it has other potential clinical applications.
The study was led by Professor João Pedro Magalhães and published in Aging Cell.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that could increase high blood pressure risk, and people with severe high blood pressure should reduce coffee intake.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
