Clinical trial of anti-aging drug nicotinamide mono nucleotide begins in July

Rather than take maintenance medicine, many people would prefer to take anti-aging drugs so they would be free from chronic ailments such as diabetes, cardio diseases and similar diseases as they grow old. Several clinical trials are ongoing using metformin and now a compound called nicotinamide mono nucleotide (NMN).

Gizmodo reports that in July, 10 healthy people would take part in a clinical trial on the use of NMN to be conducted by researchers from Washington University in St Louis and Keio University in Japan. The aim of the trial is to test if the compound could improve bodily function and delay the effects of aging.

An organic molecule or nucleotide, NMN is found in several nutritional sources such as milk. Besides slowing down the aging process, it activates sirtuin in the body, according to an experiment with mice, reports Japan News. The experiment was published in the September 2013 issue of Cell Metabolism.

When the rodents were given a steady diet of NMN, there were improvements in metabolism and eyesight which are age-related declines. It also improved the lipid profiles and glucose intolerance of mice, although it is still unknown if humans would respond in a similar manner to the nucleotide.

The Japanese government would provide full-fledged support to anti-aging studies from next fiscal year as the country’s population continues to age while births are significantly down.

VIDEO: Anti-aging Drug Metformin