Could long-approved medicines slow down ageing? This question is being pursued by a team led by network scientist Albert-László Barabási of Northeastern University in Boston, together with colleagues from Harvard. Their results were published in the journal Nature Aging in June 2026.
The approach: ageing as a network
Ageing research today describes several “hallmarks of aging” – such as altered intercellular communication, deregulated nutrient sensing, inflammation or mitochondrial dysfunction. The team linked three large data sources:
- the Open Genes database with 1,250 genes associated with one or more of eleven hallmarks of ageing,
- the human interactome, a map of more than half a million interactions between proteins,
- the drug database DrugBank with 6,442 active substances.
It turned out that ageing-related genes are not randomly distributed in the network but cluster in certain “neighbourhoods”. Medicines whose target proteins lie close to these modules could influence the corresponding ageing processes.
The results
- According to the analysis, 370 medicines could influence one or more hallmarks of ageing.
- 14 of these could potentially slow ageing, and 14 could possibly accelerate it.
- The method was validated on 17 substances already being tested in human longevity trials and on 11 medicines that have been shown to extend the lifespan of mice.
- According to the model, aspirin could have a positive effect on intercellular communication but at the same time disturb nutrient sensing – an example of how effects are not clearly “good” or “bad”.
- Surprisingly, oxymetazoline, an active ingredient in decongestant nasal sprays, emerged as a candidate for improving intercellular communication. Cell experiments on this are under way.
Important: not a recommendation for self-medication
The researchers themselves stress that the study does “not provide a cure for ageing” and does not prove that any medicine extends human life. These are predictions from a computer model that must first be confirmed in laboratory and clinical studies. Decongestant nasal sprays in particular should in any case only be used for short periods because of the risk of dependence and damage to the nasal mucosa. Aspirin is also not suitable for self-treatment because of the risk of bleeding.
Why the approach is nevertheless exciting
Developing a new medicine often takes more than a decade. Already approved drugs, on the other hand, have known safety profiles. Network analyses like this one help to select the most promising candidates for targeted studies from thousands of possibilities – and could thus considerably accelerate ageing research.
Note: This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. Please do not take medicines without consulting your doctor.
