The Latest Research on Anti-Aging Therapy, Creams, Serums, and Medications (2021)

Our body changes as we age. Some of these changes, like graying hair, don’t appear to cause harm — even if we’re not happy about them. But other changes to our bodies can cause problems in our daily life. We may struggle with remembering things or have vision and hearing loss. Aging also raises our risk for certain ailments, such as cancer and heart disease.

While we haven’t discovered the fountain of youth just yet, researchers are looking at therapies that could delay or reverse the aging process. Potential candidates include both existing medications and new treatments.

In this article, we’ll examine anti-aging medications and therapies currently being researched and the aging-related conditions they may be able to treat or prevent. 

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What anti-aging medications and therapies are being researched today?

Anti-aging therapies being researched today include medications that might slow down or prevent the internal aging process, as well as cosmetic products (like creams and serums) to help with external aging signs, like wrinkles. 

Medications

Medications — both old and new — are being investigated for their anti-aging effects. In theory, these medications could potentially help with many different age-related conditions, including:

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Parkinson’s disease

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

Some of these medications, like metformin, have been around for a long time and are used to treat other conditions. There are also new medications with anti-aging potential that we’re still discovering. Read on to learn more about the latest research.

Metformin

Metformin is a medication used to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. Since it was discovered, it’s been found to have the potential to treat cancer and protect the heart and brain. 

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Metformin has piqued interest as an anti-aging medication because studies in mice have shown it may delay aging and prolong lifespan. It’s currently thought that metformin may have an anti-aging effect by lowering inflammation. 

Metformin also lowers insulin levels and a protein called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the body. Insulin and IGF-1 promote cell growth and prevent cell death. Uncontrolled cell growth can cause tumor development and possibly cancer.

To date, most of the research into metformin’s anti-aging benefits has been in animals, such as mice. Human research is only at the beginning stages. 

One very small study with 14 people found that metformin can cause changes in certain bodily processes that may protect against, or slow down, certain parts of aging. But, there are still many questions to be answered on its potential benefits, dosage, and side effects.

Metformin will be the first medication to be tested for anti-aging effects in a large clinical trial. The TAME (Targeting Aging by MEtformin) trial involves 14 research institutions and will include about 3,000 people between ages 65 and 79. It’s expected to last for 6 years. 

Researchers will be looking to see whether people taking metformin have delayed development of aging-related conditions, such as heart disease, dementia, and cancer.

Growth hormone

Growth hormone — also referred to as human growth hormone, GH, or hGH — is made naturally by your body. GH plays a major role in our metabolism. It’s also responsible for telling nearly every part of your body to grow. 

GH levels start to drop as we age. It’s thought that this drop may cause some unwanted parts of aging, such as muscle mass loss and fat mass gain. But the jury’s still out regarding its potential benefits in the aging process — especially since its effects on our body may change as we get older.

For example, mice studies have shown that GH has positive effects on longevity during development (adolescence) but negative effects if used during adulthood. Additionally, both human and animal studies have shown that high GH levels can shorten life expectancy and raise disease risks.

Adults and children with growth hormone deficiency can benefit from supplementing GH. Some people use it off-label for athletic performance and to build muscle, but that’s currently illegal. Long-term GH use for this purpose has also been linked to a greater cancer risk.

Even though human research hasn’t shown much hope, a recent study found that GH may slow some aging markers when used in older adults. But it’s important to note this was a very small study, and much more research is needed before we know for sure whether GH has any role in anti-aging in humans.

Rapamycin

Rapamycin — also known as sirolimus — is a medication discovered in 1972. It was originally prescribed to prevent transplant rejection in kidney transplant recipients. 

Research has discovered that rapamycin impacts a protein called mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). This protein plays a role in many processes in our body, including sending signals to tell our cells to grow. It’s thought that stopping mTOR from sending these signals may be how rapamycin could slow or stop the aging process.

Studies in mice showed that rapamycin caused them to live longer. And these studies also showed rapamycin might slow down certain aging “side effects.” For example, mice given rapamycin were more likely to continue exploring their surroundings as they aged — which they typically stop doing as they get older. 

Animal studies with rapamycin may show promise, but there haven’t been many human studies. However, human anti-aging rapamycin trials are currently underway. 

One study is looking at different weekly rapamycin doses to see how they improve certain aging markers, including changes in bone density, fat and muscle mass, liver and kidney function, and other markers of health.

DHEA

Dehydroepiandrotereone (DHEA) is a hormone made mostly by your adrenal glands (small glands on top of your kidneys). DHEA is important because your body uses it to make the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen, among others.

Your body makes less DHEA as you age. Combined with its role in making sex hormones, it’s generated interest for its potential in aging. 

Initial research didn’t show much promise. But some more recent studies have shown that DHEA may be beneficial for at least some, if not all, effects we associate with aging.

For example, a positive relationship between DHEA levels and muscle mass and strength, mobility, and a lower fall risk has been found in older adults. 

DHEA has also been shown to improve menopausal symptoms in peri- and early post-menopausal people. It may also have beneficial effects on mood and possibly sexual function in both men and women.

Still, it’s important to remember there are unanswered questions about using DHEA as an anti-aging therapy. We don’t know who may benefit from DHEA, what dosage is required, and long-term safety since data is lacking. As with other potential anti-aging medications, DHEA has shown promise, but there’s still more research to be completed. 

Senolytics

Senolytics are compounds that get rid of senescent cells in your body. Senescent cells are cells that have stopped growing, and they are thought to contribute to aging through actions such as:

• Raising inflammation, a process involved in certain aging-related conditions

• Causing otherwise healthy cells to become senescent

• Forming scar tissue

• Creating dysfunctional stem cells, which may contribute to conditions like Parkinson’s disease

In animal and human studies, it’s been shown that getting rid of senescent cells improves aging-related disease symptoms and may expand the average lifespan.

Some senolytics being researched are medications. These include Farydak (panobinostat) and Navitoclax. 

Farydak is currently used to treat certain adults with multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer, and your risk for the disease goes up with your age. It’s typically treated with chemotherapy, but chemotherapy often creates senescent cells. Farydak kills senescent cells that persist after chemotherapy. This helps people stay in remission longer, as was shown in Farydak’s clinical trials.

Navitoclax is seeking approval to treat myelofibrosis, a cancer affecting bone marrow. It’s also been shown to eliminate senescent cells in lab models of heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and other conditions. But, these results haven’t been replicated in actual people with actual diseases. There’s still more research to be completed on whether Navitoclax lives up to the promise it has shown in the lab.

Senolytics are also found in some of the foods and drinks we consume — a few of which are under investigation for potential anti-aging benefits. For example, green tea contains compounds called catechins. Catechins have been shown to help fight against inflammation and may have the potential to fight against tumor growth. 

However, there are many questions left to be answered about senolytics. It’s not known at what dose, or for how long, these substances should be used. Certain senolytics may have different effects on aging. Plus, some senolytics can cause serious side effects — like low white blood cells and platelets (cells that help blood clot). 

More research is needed to determine which senolytics may be helpful and which may cause more harm than good.

Creams and serums

If you’re interested in anti-aging skin care, you may have heard about some creams and serums for treating certain signs of aging. Anti-aging creams and serums are especially popular for some physical aging signs, such as wrinkles. 

Countless molecules have been researched for anti-aging creams and serums. Some you may have heard of include:

• Vitamins that act as antioxidants, like vitamin C and vitamin E. Vitamin E is used as a moisturizer and may also help protect against ultraviolet (UV) damage to your skin. Vitamin C may also help protect against UV damage.

• Cell regulators, like vitamin A (retinol). Retinol signals your body to create more collagen, and it exfoliates by removing dead skin cells.

• Hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance in your body that keeps skin hydrated, elastic, and resilient.

• Marula oil extracts. The marula fruit contains a variety of amino acids, antioxidants, and fatty acids. It may keep skin smooth and hydrated.

• Peptides, such as collagen peptides. Think of collagen as a glue — it helps hold your body’s cells and tissues together. We make less collagen as we age, which is why collagen gets so much attention as an anti-aging treatment. Look for hydrolyzed collagen — recent research shows it may protect against wrinkles and skin dryness.

Are there any natural solutions to help treat the signs of aging?

Natural solutions are also being researched to help treat signs of aging. For example, certain food and drinks contain compounds that may help with signs of aging. As mentioned above, green tea contains catechins, which may protect against inflammation.

Many fruits and vegetables — including cucumbers, onions, and strawberries — contain a compound called fisetin. Fisetin may help lower the risk for heart disease, protect your brain from inflammation, and could lower inflammation in general. However, it’s not known what amounts are needed to have these effects.  

What anti-aging treatments can I try right now?

Some anti-aging products are sold over-the-counter (OTC) as dietary supplements. This means you don’t need a prescription to buy it. However, you should talk with your healthcare provider before using any supplement. 

DHEA is currently available OTC. However, DHEA is broken down into other sex hormones (like estrogen and testosterone) in your body, which may cause side effects or problems with other conditions you have. If you’re interested in giving DHEA a try, your provider can discuss the risks and benefits of taking it.

You can also try foods that are being explored for their anti-aging benefits. For example, there are several fruits and vegetables naturally high in fisetin that could be added to your diet. Green tea is another option since it’s high in catechins.

There are numerous anti-aging creams and serums available that contain ingredients mentioned in this article. Remember that the FDA doesn’t require these products to prove that they work — do your research before you buy! Check out this article from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) for insider tips from dermatologists on starting your anti-aging skin care routine.

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Written by:

Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA

Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA, is a licensed pharmacist specializing in chronic disease and health and wellness. Upon completing his residency, he worked in the managed care field, conducting medication therapy management and adherence counseling sessions with Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance patients, before transitioning to a career in medical writing.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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