Rapamune (sirolimus) Label Information
FDA-approved prescribing label for Rapamune (sirolimus), indicated for prophylaxis of organ rejection in kidney transplant patients and for the treatment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).
Best for Longevity and healthy-aging research
Best Compounds for Longevity Research
Longevity discussions often place approved drugs, dietary compounds, and experimental peptides into one undifferentiated category. This review ranks the public source record by evidence depth: approved drugs with human data first, then compounds with controlled human studies, followed by preclinical-only peptide candidates. It is an evidence map, not a recommendation or treatment guide.
Last reviewed 2026-07-10
Next review 2026-08-10
16 sources
#
Compound
Evidence level
Why it's listed
1
Rapamycin (Sirolimus)
Evidence review Approved drug for other indications; peer-reviewed animal lifespan evidence and limited human aging-related trials The strongest mammalian lifespan evidence in the group, plus an FDA-approved drug record for unrelated indications and limited controlled human immune-aging research.
Evidence review Approved drug for other indications; peer-reviewed animal lifespan evidence and limited human aging-related trials The strongest mammalian lifespan evidence in the group, plus an FDA-approved drug record for unrelated indications and limited controlled human immune-aging research.
2
Metformin
Evidence review Approved drug with extensive human data; longevity hypothesis remains under study Extensive human safety and diabetes data with observational longevity signals, while the TAME program tests whether those signals translate beyond diabetes care.
Evidence review Approved drug with extensive human data; longevity hypothesis remains under study Extensive human safety and diabetes data with observational longevity signals, while the TAME program tests whether those signals translate beyond diabetes care.
3
Spermidine
Evidence review Human trials for selected outcomes plus preclinical longevity mechanisms Human cognition studies and a defined dietary exposure record place it above preclinical-only peptide candidates, though lifespan claims remain unsettled.
Evidence review Human trials for selected outcomes plus preclinical longevity mechanisms Human cognition studies and a defined dietary exposure record place it above preclinical-only peptide candidates, though lifespan claims remain unsettled.
4
Epitalon
Regulatory watch Peer-reviewed cellular and preclinical evidence; limited human evidence A prominent longevity peptide with published cellular findings but a narrow research base and no large, independently replicated human outcome trials.
Regulatory watch Peer-reviewed cellular and preclinical evidence; limited human evidence A prominent longevity peptide with published cellular findings but a narrow research base and no large, independently replicated human outcome trials.
5
MOTS-c
Regulatory watch Preclinical and observational human research; no established therapeutic trials A biologically interesting mitochondria-derived peptide with strong mechanistic attention but no confirmed therapeutic benefit from human interventional trials.
Regulatory watch Preclinical and observational human research; no established therapeutic trials A biologically interesting mitochondria-derived peptide with strong mechanistic attention but no confirmed therapeutic benefit from human interventional trials.
Rapamycin (Sirolimus)
Rapamycin (Sirolimus)
The strongest mammalian lifespan evidence in the group, plus an FDA-approved drug record for unrelated indications and limited controlled human immune-aging research.
Evidence level: Approved drug for other indications; peer-reviewed animal lifespan evidence and limited human aging-related trials
Regulatory status: FDA-approved for specific medical indications; not approved for longevity or anti-aging
Rapamycin extends lifespan in multiple mouse studies, including late-life intervention experiments. A controlled trial of the related mTOR inhibitor everolimus reported improved vaccine response in older adults. Rapamycin is FDA-approved for transplant rejection prophylaxis and lymphangioleiomyomatosis, not aging, and human longevity outcomes remain unproven.
Metformin
Metformin
Extensive human safety and diabetes data with observational longevity signals, while the TAME program tests whether those signals translate beyond diabetes care.
Evidence level: Approved drug with extensive human data; longevity hypothesis remains under study
Regulatory status: FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes; not approved for aging
Metformin is an established FDA-approved treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Observational studies have reported mortality patterns that motivated geroscience interest, but observational data cannot prove an anti-aging effect. The TAME concept is designed to test whether metformin can delay multiple age-related diseases in non-diabetic adults.
Spermidine
Spermidine
Human cognition studies and a defined dietary exposure record place it above preclinical-only peptide candidates, though lifespan claims remain unsettled.
Evidence level: Human trials for selected outcomes plus preclinical longevity mechanisms
Regulatory status: Dietary compound; not FDA-approved as a longevity treatment
Spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine studied for autophagy, cognition, and healthy aging. Human trials have examined cognitive outcomes, while much of the longevity rationale comes from mechanistic and preclinical work. Supplement findings should not be conflated with proven lifespan extension.
Epitalon
Epitalon
A prominent longevity peptide with published cellular findings but a narrow research base and no large, independently replicated human outcome trials.
Evidence level: Peer-reviewed cellular and preclinical evidence; limited human evidence
Regulatory status: Not FDA-approved; regulatory watch
Publications from the Khavinson research group report telomerase-related cellular effects and longevity-oriented findings. The evidence base is concentrated within a limited research network, lacks large modern human trials, and does not establish clinical anti-aging efficacy.
MOTS-c
MOTS-c
A biologically interesting mitochondria-derived peptide with strong mechanistic attention but no confirmed therapeutic benefit from human interventional trials.
Evidence level: Preclinical and observational human research; no established therapeutic trials
Regulatory status: Not FDA-approved; regulatory watch
MOTS-c was identified as a mitochondrial-derived peptide involved in metabolic signaling. Mouse studies reported effects on insulin sensitivity and obesity-related endpoints, while observational human work has examined changes associated with exercise and aging. Human treatment efficacy has not been established.
Editorial note
Aging is not an FDA-approved indication for any item on this page. Approval for another disease does not establish a longevity benefit, and animal lifespan findings should not be presented as human outcomes.
Sources on this page
Source records are stored in the repo and linked from this page.
Rapamycin fed late in life extends lifespan in genetically heterogeneous mice
Landmark NIA Interventions Testing Program (ITP) study showing that rapamycin, fed beginning at 600 days of age, significantly extended lifespan in genetically heterogeneous mice (both sexes).
Lifespan benefits of rapamycin in three genetically diverse mouse populations (ITP repeat study)
Multi-site replication confirming lifespan extension by rapamycin across genetically diverse mouse populations, supporting the robustness of the original ITP finding.
mTOR inhibition improves immune function in the elderly
Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Mannick et al.) showing that low-dose rapamycin analog (everolimus) improved immune response to influenza vaccine in older adults, providing early human translational evidence.
GLUCOPHAGE (metformin hydrochloride) Label Information
FDA-approved prescribing label for Glucophage (metformin hydrochloride), indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and children with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Targeting Aging with Metformin (TAME) — ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for the TAME (Targeting Aging with Metformin) trial, a multi-center study investigating whether metformin can delay the onset of age-related diseases in non-diabetic adults.
Metformin as a Tool to Target Aging (TAME concept article)
Nir Barzilai and colleagues outline the scientific rationale and design of the TAME trial, arguing that metformin's AMPK-activating, insulin-sensitizing effects make it a candidate to target aging biology.
Can people with type 2 diabetes live longer than those without? A comparison of mortality in people initiated with metformin or sulphonylurea monotherapy
Observational retrospective cohort study (Bannister et al.) reporting that metformin-treated patients had lower mortality than matched non-diabetic controls, fueling interest in metformin as a longevity therapeutic.
Effects of Spermidine Supplementation on Cognition and Biomarkers in Older Adults With Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Mechanisms of spermidine-induced autophagy and geroprotection
The effect of spermidine on memory performance in older adults at risk for dementia: A randomized controlled trial
Peptide regulation of telomerase activity — Khavinson et al. studies of Epitalon
Studies by Khavinson and colleagues reporting that Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) increases telomerase activity in human somatic cells. Research is primarily from a single Russian research group and lacks independent Western replication.
Epitalon and geroprotective peptides — review of anti-aging claims
Reviews of Epitalon and related peptides in the context of aging biology, noting that telomerase and longevity claims rest on preclinical data from limited research groups without large-scale human clinical trials.
The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide MOTS-c Promotes Metabolic Homeostasis and Reduces Obesity — Lee et al.
Lee et al. (2015) landmark study (PMID 25754631) in Cell Metabolism identifying MOTS-c as a mitochondrial-derived peptide that regulates metabolic homeostasis, improves insulin sensitivity, and prevents obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet. Preclinical only.
MOTS-c in exercise, aging, and metabolic disease — human and preclinical studies
Emerging research on MOTS-c in the context of exercise physiology and aging, including observational human studies showing MOTS-c levels change with exercise. No interventional human trials confirming therapeutic effects.
July 23-24, 2026 Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting
FDA advisory committee meeting notice listing multiple peptide bulk substances scheduled for discussion.