As populations age, the demand for effective interventions to extend healthspan increases. Ageing is a complex process characterized by interconnected mechanisms such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, impaired autophagy, genomic instability, proteostasis loss, stem cell exhaustion, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. This review aims to summarize these ageing-related mechanisms and evaluate the role of natural products and formulations derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as pharmacological modulators.
Mechanisms of Ageing
The ageing process involves various biological pathways that contribute to the decline in health and function. Key mechanisms include:
- Oxidative Stress: An imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant defenses.
- Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Impaired mitochondrial function affects energy metabolism and contributes to cellular ageing.
- Chronic Inflammation: Persistent inflammation is linked to numerous age-related diseases.
- Metabolic Dysregulation: Altered metabolic pathways can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.
- Impaired Autophagy: The decline in autophagic processes affects cellular homeostasis and longevity.
- Genomic Instability: Accumulation of genetic damage over time can lead to cellular dysfunction.
- Proteostasis Loss: The inability to maintain protein homeostasis contributes to cellular stress.
- Stem Cell Exhaustion: Decreased regenerative capacity of stem cells impacts tissue repair.
- Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis: Imbalances in gut microbiota can influence systemic health and ageing.
TCM-Derived Natural Products
This review integrates evidence on TCM-derived bioactive compounds, including plant polysaccharides, herbal extracts, and classical TCM formulations, which have reported geroprotective effects. Key findings indicate that:
- TCM-derived natural products modulate multiple ageing-related pathways rather than targeting isolated mechanisms.
- Constituents such as ginsenosides and plant polysaccharides have been shown to regulate oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, metabolic signaling, and autophagy.
- Classical TCM formulations exert multi-component effects on genomic stability, mitochondrial function, immune regulation, and microbiota homeostasis.
Potential Therapeutic Applications
The findings from this review support the potential of TCM-derived natural products and formulations as multi-target pharmacological strategies for promoting healthy ageing. By addressing various mechanisms of ageing, these natural products may offer a holistic approach to enhancing healthspan and mitigating age-related decline.
What this study does not show
This review does not provide direct clinical evidence or outcomes from human studies regarding the efficacy of TCM-derived products in extending healthspan.
Evidence scorecard
- Analytic validity: Not established
- Clinical validity: Not established
- Clinical utility: Not established
The evidence presented is based on a narrative review without direct clinical studies.