The immunosuppressant medication, rapamycin, has been long used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs. Because it regulates cell growth, rapamycin has been used in a variety of medical treatments including as a coating on coronary artery stents to prevent restenosis and is also being considered for cancer treatment. Now a new study released in Nature online reports that rapamycin was able to prolong life in aging mice by up to 30%.

This natural microorganism was discovered to have antifungal properties and was found in soil samples on Easter Island. As far as I can tell, it was first reported on in 1975. It was discovered to also have antibiotic properties and found to have strong immunosuppressant properties as well.

This new discovery of its anti-aging properties in mice, raises the question if the same outcomes can be achieved in humans. You can read more about this in the NY TImes article, “Antibiotic Delayed Aging in Mice“. Further information about its immunosuppressant functions can also be found under the name Sirolimus.

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