Scientists at the University of Liverpool have discovered that a drug called rilmenidine might help people live longer and stay healthier as they age. This drug is already used to treat high blood pressure, but new research suggests it could also slow down aging.
In their study, scientists tested rilmenidine on animals. They gave the drug to both young and old ones. The results showed that the animals lived longer and remained healthier compared to those that didn’t receive the drug. This is exciting because these benefits are similar to what happens when animals eat a diet with fewer calories.
For many years, scientists have known that reducing calorie intake can extend lifespan in different species, from tiny worms to mice. This method, called caloric restriction, has been widely studied. It helps improve overall health and slows down signs of aging.
However, it is hard for people to follow strict calorie-cutting diets for long periods, and the results in humans have been mixed.
That’s why scientists are searching for drugs that can provide the same anti-aging effects without requiring major lifestyle changes. Rilmenidine might be one such drug.
The researchers found that rilmenidine works by affecting a specific part of the body called the I1-imidazoline receptor. This receptor plays a role in controlling stress, metabolism, and aging. By targeting this receptor, rilmenidine may help the body mimic the effects of caloric restriction.
One of the biggest advantages of rilmenidine is that it is already approved and widely used for high blood pressure. Many drugs studied for anti-aging effects in the past have serious side effects or are not safe for humans.
But rilmenidine has been used for years and is known to have only mild and rare side effects. This makes it a good candidate for future aging treatments.
The study is important because it is the first to show that rilmenidine can extend lifespan in animals. The researchers believe this is just the beginning. They hope to conduct more studies to understand how the drug works and whether it can provide the same benefits for people.
As the world’s population gets older, even small improvements in health and aging could have a big impact. Scientists are now looking at ways to repurpose existing drugs, like rilmenidine, to help people stay healthy for longer.
Instead of developing new medicines from scratch, using already-approved drugs could be a faster and safer approach.
This research was led by Professor João Pedro Magalhães and published in the journal Aging Cell. The findings suggest that rilmenidine could become a valuable tool in the future to slow aging and improve quality of life. Scientists are now exploring new ways to test this drug and see if it could be used for aging-related health problems in humans.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
