New Research Suggests Anti-Malarial Drug may Extend Lifespan

Research finds low doses of chloroquine safely alleviated signs of tissue aging, extended lifespan of aged rats

Scientists have long suspected that the anti-malarial drug chloroquine may be helpful in treating senescence, the gradual, age-related deterioration of function in living organisms. The problem is that research has found the drug comes with some nasty side-effects, including liver damage, an increased risk of cardiac arrythmia, and gastrointestinal issues. 

That’s why a new study is so exciting. Researchers in China found that using low doses of chloroquine increased the lifespan of old rats, reduced inflammation, and inhibited the development of fibrosis. The researchers, who also monitored for side effects, report that the low dosage appeared to not result in significant problems.

We don’t want to get too excited about a single study, but it provides another layer of evidence that age can be treated much like we treat diseases or other medical conditions.

Methuselah Foundation has been committed to making 90 the new 50 by 2030 through our support of companies and organizations that are focused on developing practical ways to extend the healthy lifespan and fight the effects of aging.  

We support companies working on ways to rejuvenate cells to restore their function, organizations working to manufacture human tissue on demand by using bioprinters, companies fighting cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and other medical conditions.  

We have funded scientific challenges to incentivize researchers to find ways to create living human tissue in a lab and to identify ways to produce nutritious food efficiently to nourish astronauts on deep-space missions – and to address the real needs of human hunger on earth.

Most of the successes those investments have achieved came as a result of people blazing trails with non-traditional approaches, new technologies, and fresh thinking. 

We don’t know that chloroquine will ever be part of the arsenal used to treat the effects of aging, but we are absolutely confident that the organizations with which we work will weigh its value in this war. To support our efforts, become a donor.