Senotherapeutics: Targeting senescent cells for the main age-related diseases

The review aims to summarize and discuss the current knowledge on targeting senescent cells to reduce the risk of age-related diseases in animal models and human studies. The role of cellular senescence in aging and the major age-related diseases -including Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and type 2 diabetes- as well as the use of senotherapeutic strategies in both experimental and preclinical studies, will be described. A large number of molecules, including synthetic agents and natural compounds, have been proposed for anti-senescence activities. Research on senotherapeutics, which includes senolytic and senomorphic, has a growing interest, and their safety and reliability as anti-aging drugs have been tested in clinical trials. Initial findings suggest that the senotherapeutic approach may be translatable to humans. Due to the lack of evidence, caution must be used against senolytic agents due to their potential side-effects. In this context, natural senolytic compounds should have the advantage of low toxicity and potentially more useful in humans, although the mechanisms of action need to be defined.