A recent study has shown that the Japanese plant, to which local folklore has been credited with maintaining health and prolonging life, may indeed be the secret to slowing aging.
The rare angelica keiskei koidzumi plant - also known as asitaba or tomorrow's leaf - has been a staple on the samurai table for millennia. It has such powerful regenerative properties that if you cut the leaf in the morning, it will sprout by the next day.
And now scientists looking for solutions that can slow down aging have discovered that one of the best options can be found in the asitaba plant.
A compound known as dimethoxychalcone, when administered to fruit flies and worms, was observed to extend their lifespan by 20 percent. In addition, it prevented the aging process of human cells - a condition in which cells "dormant", losing the ability to divide or self-purify, which can lead to the development of cancer. It has also been shown that dimethoxychalcone protects the hearts of mice, even with reduced blood flow.
According to Frank Madeo of the Austrian University of Graz, the use of this compound in pharmaceuticals could successfully replace other anti-aging agents, such as fasting.
“Despite the undeniable benefits of some behavioral and dietary strategies, especially calorie restriction, most people have difficulty adhering to them strictly and consistently,” the scientist explained. "This circumstance has stimulated the search for possible pharmacological alternatives."
“Interestingly, dimethoxychalcone can be found in the leaves of the Angelica keiskei koidzumi plant, commonly known by its Japanese name asitaba, which is credited with longevity and health promoting effects in Asian folk medicine. This is fueling expectations that the compound may be therapeutically useful in humans,”Madeo added.
Researchers believe that dimethoxyhalcone stimulates the body to cleanse old or diseased cells, making room for new, healthier "siblings." This process is known as autophagy. Disruptions in the functioning of the autophagy mechanism can lead to diseases associated with aging, which include neurodegenerative disorders, when toxic molecules or damage accumulate in the cell.
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Asitaba has traditionally been used as a digestive aid, wound healing, and infection prevention. This plant is often used as feed for cattle, which is said to improve cow health and milk quality.
Scientists are now calling for more research to see if dimethoxyhalcone can be used to prevent age-related problems in humans.
Natalia Golovakha