Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Announces Research Findings on Anti-Aging Effects of Aged Garlic Extract Component "S1PC"; Paper Published in Global Scientific Journal
Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a pioneer in aged garlic extract in the global healthcare market, and the Institute for Research on Productive Aging, have jointly announced research findings on the anti-aging effects of S1PC. Their collaborative study proved that S1PC, a component in aged garlic extract, promotes the binding of LKB1/STRAD/MO25, activates sirtuins, increases NAD⁺ concentration in the hypothalamus, and leads to improvements in aging indicators and muscle strengthening in aged mice. Human clinical trials have also been conducted, providing evidence for a new anti-aging methodology. The results will be published in the international scientific journal 'Cell Metabolism' on May 7, 2026.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 23:42
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Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (President and Representative Director: Hirohito Wakunaga), a pioneer of aged garlic extract in the global healthcare market, and the Institute for Research on Productive Aging (Representative Director: Shin-ichiro Imai), which conducts research and social implementation of anti-aging methodologies based on an understanding of the mechanisms of aging and longevity, have jointly announced research findings on the anti-aging effects brought about by S1PC through their collaborative research.
Through joint research by Wakunaga Pharmaceutical and the Institute for Research on Productive Aging, it has been demonstrated that a substance called S1PC, contained in aged garlic extract, promotes the binding of LKB1/STRAD/MO25, activates sirtuins, increases NAD⁺ concentration in the hypothalamus, and leads to anti-aging effects such as improved aging indicators and enhanced muscle strength in aged mice. Human clinical trials were also conducted, presenting evidence for a new anti-aging methodology.
**[Paper Overview]**
A study proving that "S1PC," a component derived from aged garlic extract, promotes the secretion of eNAMPT from adipose tissue and improves age-related muscle weakness via the hypothalamus, will be published in Cell Metabolism. A joint research team consisting of Dr. Kiyoshi Yoshioka, Chief Researcher at the Institute for Research on Productive Aging (IRPA), and Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Central Research Institute, has revealed that "S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine (hereinafter, S1PC (*))" (Figure 1), contained in aged garlic extract, supports health and exhibits anti-aging effects through an organ communication pathway of "adipose-brain (hypothalamus)-muscle."
Figure 1 S1PC structural formula
It was discovered for the first time in the world that S1PC acts on a critical enzyme called LKB1 in adipose tissue, promoting the secretion of extracellular vesicles (eNAMPT-EV) containing "extracellular NAMPT (eNAMPT)," an enzyme crucial for aging and longevity control, into the bloodstream. It was revealed through experiments with mice that secreted eNAMPT-EV reaches the hypothalamus in the brain, enhances the synthesis of "NAD⁺," an energy source for cells, and improves age-related muscle weakness (frailty) and aging indicators via the sympathetic nervous system. Furthermore, in human clinical trials, it was confirmed that intake of 25mg of S1PC increased eNAMPT in the blood of subjects with a healthy amount of fat, demonstrating a common effect across cultured cells, mice, and humans.
Based on these results, this study showed that S1PC acts as an LKB1 activator not previously found, and that S1PC brings about anti-aging effects primarily in skeletal muscle. In addition to elucidating its mechanism of action, it also revealed the existence of important organ communication—"adipose-brain-muscle"—that supports health and antagonizes aging, naturally present in living organisms. As S1PC contributes to systemic anti-aging through the activation of this organ communication, its application as a next-generation anti-aging nutraceutical (functional food ingredient) is highly anticipated.
The results of this research will be published in the international scientific journal 'Cell Metabolism' on May 7, 2026.
(Explanation)
Garlic has been valued by humanity worldwide for its health benefits since the Greek era. In particular, S1PC, a component contained in aged garlic extract, has been reported to have various health benefits and has attracted attention in recent years. In this study, we proceeded to analyze the completely new mechanism of action of this S1PC and its detailed effects in living organisms.
In recent years, it has become clear that the decline of "NAD⁺," a cellular energy source, with aging is deeply involved in the aging of various organs. NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase), an enzyme essential for NAD⁺ synthesis, is known to be encapsulated in extracellular vesicles (EVs) from adipose tissue and secreted into the bloodstream (called eNAMPT-EVs). It reaches the hypothalamus in the brain, increases NAD⁺, and contributes to improving health and extending lifespan.
As a result of the research, it was found that ingested S1PC is taken up by adipose tissue and activates an enzyme called LKB1, which plays an important role in controlling metabolism (Figure 2). For LKB1 to function, it is important to form a complex with two factors called STRAD and MO25. It was clarified that S1PC promotes the binding of LKB1 and STRAD. When LKB1 is activated by this binding, it phosphorylates "SIRT1," a representative mammalian sirtuin.
Through joint research by Wakunaga Pharmaceutical and the Institute for Research on Productive Aging, it has been demonstrated that a substance called S1PC, contained in aged garlic extract, promotes the binding of LKB1/STRAD/MO25, activates sirtuins, increases NAD⁺ concentration in the hypothalamus, and leads to anti-aging effects such as improved aging indicators and enhanced muscle strength in aged mice. Human clinical trials were also conducted, presenting evidence for a new anti-aging methodology.
**[Paper Overview]**
A study proving that "S1PC," a component derived from aged garlic extract, promotes the secretion of eNAMPT from adipose tissue and improves age-related muscle weakness via the hypothalamus, will be published in Cell Metabolism. A joint research team consisting of Dr. Kiyoshi Yoshioka, Chief Researcher at the Institute for Research on Productive Aging (IRPA), and Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Central Research Institute, has revealed that "S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine (hereinafter, S1PC (*))" (Figure 1), contained in aged garlic extract, supports health and exhibits anti-aging effects through an organ communication pathway of "adipose-brain (hypothalamus)-muscle."
Figure 1 S1PC structural formula
It was discovered for the first time in the world that S1PC acts on a critical enzyme called LKB1 in adipose tissue, promoting the secretion of extracellular vesicles (eNAMPT-EV) containing "extracellular NAMPT (eNAMPT)," an enzyme crucial for aging and longevity control, into the bloodstream. It was revealed through experiments with mice that secreted eNAMPT-EV reaches the hypothalamus in the brain, enhances the synthesis of "NAD⁺," an energy source for cells, and improves age-related muscle weakness (frailty) and aging indicators via the sympathetic nervous system. Furthermore, in human clinical trials, it was confirmed that intake of 25mg of S1PC increased eNAMPT in the blood of subjects with a healthy amount of fat, demonstrating a common effect across cultured cells, mice, and humans.
Based on these results, this study showed that S1PC acts as an LKB1 activator not previously found, and that S1PC brings about anti-aging effects primarily in skeletal muscle. In addition to elucidating its mechanism of action, it also revealed the existence of important organ communication—"adipose-brain-muscle"—that supports health and antagonizes aging, naturally present in living organisms. As S1PC contributes to systemic anti-aging through the activation of this organ communication, its application as a next-generation anti-aging nutraceutical (functional food ingredient) is highly anticipated.
The results of this research will be published in the international scientific journal 'Cell Metabolism' on May 7, 2026.
(Explanation)
Garlic has been valued by humanity worldwide for its health benefits since the Greek era. In particular, S1PC, a component contained in aged garlic extract, has been reported to have various health benefits and has attracted attention in recent years. In this study, we proceeded to analyze the completely new mechanism of action of this S1PC and its detailed effects in living organisms.
In recent years, it has become clear that the decline of "NAD⁺," a cellular energy source, with aging is deeply involved in the aging of various organs. NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase), an enzyme essential for NAD⁺ synthesis, is known to be encapsulated in extracellular vesicles (EVs) from adipose tissue and secreted into the bloodstream (called eNAMPT-EVs). It reaches the hypothalamus in the brain, increases NAD⁺, and contributes to improving health and extending lifespan.
As a result of the research, it was found that ingested S1PC is taken up by adipose tissue and activates an enzyme called LKB1, which plays an important role in controlling metabolism (Figure 2). For LKB1 to function, it is important to form a complex with two factors called STRAD and MO25. It was clarified that S1PC promotes the binding of LKB1 and STRAD. When LKB1 is activated by this binding, it phosphorylates "SIRT1," a representative mammalian sirtuin.