Calorie restriction mimetics against aging and inflammation.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review detailing biological mechanisms without primary empirical data or systematic review methodology.
PubMed 40553215 · doi:10.1007/s10522-025-10269-0
What was done
This narrative review analyzed the molecular and cellular mechanisms of candidate calorie restriction mimetics (CRMs). The authors evaluated compounds including biguanides (metformin, aminoguanidine), mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin), stilbenes (resveratrol), glycolytic inhibitors, nutrient absorption blockers, polyamines, and polyphenols, focusing on their modulation of aging- and inflammation-related pathways.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative results, effect sizes, or trial statistics. It summarizes mechanistic pathways engaged by CRMs, including insulin signaling, mTOR inhibition, AMPK activation, FOXO and sirtuin modulation, and the attenuation of free radical generation.
Why it matters
This review outlines pharmacologic candidates that aim to capture the healthspan and anti-inflammatory benefits of caloric restriction while avoiding the adherence challenges and side effects of severe dietary restriction.
Limits
The paper is a non-systematic narrative review providing qualitative mechanism-based summaries without reporting quantitative clinical or preclinical effect sizes. It does not provide data on human efficacy, long-term safety, or optimal dosing.
Cited by
- supports Rapamycin targets mTOR and broadly mimics the biological effects of fasting.