The Role of Natural Medicines in Inhibiting Aging

Aging and aging-related diseases constitute a global public health concern. As such, the development of efficient anti-aging agents has emerged as a vital research field in the life sciences. In recent years, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated that natural medicines possess distinct advantages—including abundant bioactive components, low toxicity and side effects, and multi-target regulatory properties—that enable them to influence aging and aging-related diseases. Specifically, they can modulate key physiological processes of the organism, such as lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, and cellular autophagy, thereby exhibiting significant potential in the anti-aging domain. This paper reviews the latest research progress on the therapeutic effects of active components derived from natural medicines against aging and aging-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Furthermore, it systematically summarizes the potential mechanisms underlying the anti-aging actions of natural medicines. The findings presented herein aim to provide a comprehensive reference for subsequent studies focused on aging and aging-related diseases, and to facilitate the development of novel, safe, and effective anti-aging strategies based on natural resources.