The Anti-Aging Benefits of Fisetin

In recent years, fisetin has demonstrated promising health benefits and piqued the interest of many researchers.

Dozens of human trials are currently ongoing. Preclinical and early findings reveal exciting potential.

Fisetin has been found to act in multiple ways to slow certain aging processes and reverse deteriorations of function.

This can have profound effects. When elderly mice were given fisetin, their lifespan increased by about 10%.¹

In two separate human trials, fisetin has been shown to improve outcomes in patients being treated for stroke² and reduce markers of systemic inflammation in cancer patients.³

Scientists developed a form of fisetin that improves its bioavailability by about 25-fold compared to standard fisetin.⁴

A Leading Senolytic

Fisetin is a flavonoid found in small amounts in various plants, including strawberries, onions, and apples.⁵

It has attracted interest from scientists and aging experts due, in part, to its effects as a senolytic.^6,7

Senolytics are compounds that help remove old, dysfunctional senescent cells from the body.⁸

Cellular senescence is one of the drivers of aging and related disorders.⁸

That means senolytics have the potential to rejuvenate tissues throughout the body, slow certain aging processes, and reduce several age-related disease risks.^8,9

In a cell study, fisetin selectively eliminated approximately 70% of all senescent cells, while doing no harm to healthy cells.⁶

In another study assessing 10 plant-derived flavonoids head-to-head, fisetin was found to be the most effective senolytic.¹

In one animal study, these effects resulted in extending lifespan significantly. When fisetin was given to elderly mice, their life expectancy increased by about 10% on average.¹

Other Anti-Aging Effects

Fisetin’s remarkable senolytic ability has attracted a lot of attention, but it is of interest for other reasons as well.

In preclinical studies it has shown a range of additional promising effects, modulating multiple pathways associated with improved health and longer lifespan, including:

• Cellular protection. Fisetin stimulates the activity of sirtuins (cellular protector proteins).^10,11 In some animal studies, boosting sirtuin activity has led to a longer and healthier lifespan.^12,13
• Improved metabolic health. Two proteins in cells are known to help regulate metabolism, AMPK and mTOR.¹⁴ Low AMPK activity¹⁵ and high mTOR¹⁶ activity are associated with metabolic disease, obesity, and insulin resistance. Fisetin activates AMPK¹⁷ and inhibits mTOR,^18,19 which could support healthy metabolism.
• Preventing harmful inflammation. A protein complex known as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) promotes chronic inflammation, which is linked to rapid aging and chronic disease.²⁰ Fisetin has been shown to target this inflammation by inhibiting NF-kB activity.^21,22
• Inducing cellular housekeeping. Cells require regular cleaning and repair work to function optimally. This process is known as autophagy, and it wanes with age.²³ Fisetin activates autophagy, aiding cellular rejuvenation.²⁴
• Reducing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress contributes to nearly all chronic diseases.²⁵ Fisetin is a potent antioxidant, scavenging harmful free radicals and enhancing each cell’s innate antioxidant defenses.²⁶

Human Studies

Human studies of fisetin are mostly in their preliminary stages. But two clinical trials have shown results:

Inflammation and Cancer

Chronic inflammation is a major player in the formation, growth, and spread of cancer, influencing immune response and reducing the efficacy of drug treatment.

What You Need To Know

A Key to Healthy Aging

• Fisetin is perhaps the most potent plant-derived senolytic, capable of removing harmful senescent cells and extending lifespan in cell and animal models.
• In clinical studies, fisetin lowers inflammation in cancer patients and enhances outcomes in stroke victims when added to standard of care.
• In preclinical studies, fisetin has shown an ability to protect cells against injury, support metabolic health, and improve heart and brain health.
• A specific methodology for blending fisetin with galactomannan fiber boosts bioavailability more than 25-fold compared to regular fisetin.

In a placebo-controlled trial, patients being treated for colorectal cancer who took 100 mg of fisetin daily for seven weeks had significant reductions in markers of systemic inflammation. There was also a reduction in levels of enzymes tied to cancer spread and metastasis.³

Stroke

Treatment of ischemic stroke with clot-dissolving medication can improve outcomes, but only when rapidly initiated after symptom onset.²⁷

Fisetin has demonstrated neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties in preclinical models of ischemic stroke, potentially reducing tissue damage.^28,29

In a clinical study, stroke patients were categorized based on onset-to-treatment time. Those receiving standard care were randomly assigned to either a fisetin or placebo group.

The study found that fisetin improved treatment outcomes in patients who experienced a delay in receiving standard treatment. This was likely due to reduced inflammation, which was reflected in lower levels of several inflammatory markers.

Notably, administering fisetin to patients suffering an acute ischemic stroke extended the window for successful treatment from three to five hours.²

Potential in Other Chronic Diseases

Human trials for additional conditions are underway. But cell and animal studies indicate that fisetin intake may positively impact a wide range of diseases, including:

• Cancer: Fisetin has been shown in cell and animal models to reduce cancer formation, prevent metastasis, boost chemotherapy’s effects, and interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow and survive.^30-34
• Metabolic disease: Fisetin’s potential ability to improve metabolic health can help reduce body weight, improve insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels, and prevent complications of obesity^35,36 and metabolic disorders such as type II diabetes.^35,37,38
• Cardiovascular disease: Fisetin has demonstrated, in animal models, the potential to reduce the impact of acute ischemic injury to the heart muscle (this is what happens in heart attacks) and preserve heart function.^39-41 Its senolytic activity also improves blood vessel function.⁴²
• Neurological disorders: In various models, fisetin has protected brain tissue against the development and impact of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s-like changes, with similar results in other neurological conditions.^43,44

Improved Bioavailability

In its pure form, oral fisetin is difficult to absorb and hard for the body to use.

Scientists discovered that a specific method of combining fisetin with galactomannans, a fiber found in fenugreek seeds, dramatically improves its absorption.

In a human study, this formulation resulted in about 25 times greater bioavailability than standard fisetin.⁴

This allows more of this promising anti-aging compound to reach tissues and achieve its benefits throughout the body.

Summary

The compound fisetin is being widely studied for its ability to slow aging and prevent disease.

Early human studies show it can reduce inflammation in patients with cancer and improve outcomes after a stroke when added to standard care.

In cell and animal studies, fisetin has shown an ability to reduce senescent cell burden and prolong lifespan. It has also shown potential to help combat heart disease, neurological disorders, and metabolic disease.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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