Yang · Aging 2023 · In vitro experimental screening study · n=?

Chemically induced reprogramming to reverse cellular aging.

Cited 134 times in the scientific literature.

Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data

In vitro laboratory research evaluating chemical cocktails in cell-based assays.

PubMed 37437248 · doi:10.18632/aging.204896 · record verified 2026-08-26

What was done

Researchers developed high-throughput cell-based assays—including transcription-based aging clocks and a real-time nucleocytoplasmic compartmentalization (NCC) assay—to screen for chemical compounds that could reverse cellular aging in human cells without genetic alteration.

What was found

The authors identified six chemical cocktails that restored a youthful genome-wide transcript profile and reversed transcriptomic age in under a week without erasing cellular identity. The abstract reports no numerical values, concentrations, or effect sizes.

Why it matters

It demonstrates a proof-of-concept that transcriptomic aging markers can be reversed using small-molecule cocktails rather than genetic delivery of Yamanaka factors.

Limits

The study is restricted to in vitro cellular models. The abstract provides no sample sizes, specific cell line details, compound identities, quantitative data, or evidence of in vivo safety and efficacy.

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