Oxymetazoline, a widely available over-the-counter nasal spray, may hold potential for slowing biological aging, according to a new study. The drug, commonly used to treat nasal congestion from allergies or the flu, works by constricting swollen blood vessels to open airways, providing rapid relief.
Researchers at Northeastern University and Harvard compared 1,250 genes associated with aging processes, such as declining cellular energy efficiency, against 6,442 drugs. Their computational model suggested that oxymetazoline could be a candidate for combating aging. However, scientists emphasized that these findings are theoretical and that no studies on the drug's effects on aging in animals or humans have been conducted to date.
"This study does not provide a cure for aging, nor does it prove that any specific drug will extend human life," said Dr. Albert-Laszlo Barabasi, a physicist involved in the study. "It offers a roadmap... toward actionable interventions that can be tested in cells, animals and, eventually, humans."
The study, published in Nature Aging, investigated FDA-approved drugs against 11 aging processes, including genetic changes and mitochondrial dysfunction. While oxymetazoline was highlighted, the study also found that aspirin may help slow aging, though previous major studies have shown no effect on healthy lifespan. Scientists noted that further research is needed.
The precise mechanism by which oxymetazoline might slow aging remains unclear. The drug's known action involves narrowing blood vessels, reducing swelling in mucus-secreting tissues, which typically eases symptoms within minutes and lasts for over 12 hours. However, prolonged use carries a risk of rebound congestion and a potential for addiction, as nasal passages can become more sensitive and swell more when the drug's effects wear off.
Oxymetazoline is not the first common drug to be explored for its potential longevity benefits. Metformin, a diabetes medication, has been linked to extended lifespan in animal studies, as has rapamycin. Longevity expert Bryan Johnson previously took both drugs but discontinued metformin due to energy level interference and rapamycin due to skin issues and elevated blood sugar.