Aging Hallmarks and Anti-aging Strategies: A Landscape of Research Advancement

Abstract

Aging is a dynamic, time-dependent process characterized by a gradual accumulation of cell damage. Continual functional decline in the intrinsic ability of living organisms to accurately regulate homeostasis leads to increased susceptibility and vulnerability to diseases. Anti-aging research has a long history throughout civilization, with many efforts put forth to understand and prevent the effects of aging. Thus, the major cellular and molecular hallmarks of aging have been identified and multiple strategies aiming to promoting healthy aging and extending the lifespan including lifestyle adjustments, medical treatments, and social programs, have been developed. Here, we use data from the CAS Content Collection to analyze the publication landscape of recent research. We review the advances in knowledge and delineate trends in research advancement on aging factors and attributes, as well as the anti-aging strategies across time, geography, and development pipelines. We also review the current concepts related to the major aging hallmarks on the molecular, cellular, and organismic level, the age-associated diseases, with attention to brain aging and brain health support, as well as the major biochemical processes associated with aging. We further assess the state-of-the-art anti-aging strategies and explore their correlations with age-related diseases. Well-recognized and novel, currently evaluated anti-aging agents have been summarized. Finally, we review clinical applications of anti-aging products with their development pipelines. We hope this review will be helpful for apprehending the current knowledge in the field of aging progression and prevention, in effort to further solve the remaining challenges and fulfil its potential.