Reserpine can confer stress tolerance and lifespan extension in the nematode C. elegans

Though the lifespan extension mechanism is partly understood from C. elegans to mice, a viable pharmacological intervention is not yet feasible. Here, we report that reserpine largely known as an antipsychotic–antihypertensive drug, can extend C. elegans lifespan. Chronic reserpine treatment from embryo stage or young adults extends the C. elegans lifespan robustly at 25°C. Most importantly, the reserpine treated long lived worms are active...