Aging is an inevitable process influenced by genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Indirect evidence shows that several phytochemicals can have anti-aging capabilities, although direct evidence in this field is still limited. This report aims to provide a critical review on aspects related to the use of novel phytochemicals as anti-aging agents, to discuss the obstacles found when performing most anti-aging study protocols in humans, and to analyze future perspectives. In addition to the extensively studied resveratrol, epicatechin, quercetin, and curcumin, new phytochemicals have been reported to act as anti-aging agents, such as the amino acid L-theanine isolated from green tea, and the lignans arctigenin and matairesinol isolated from Arctium lappa seeds. Furthermore, this review discusses the application of several new extracts rich in phytochemicals with potential use in anti-aging therapies. Finally, this review also discusses the most important biomarkers to test anti-aging interventions, the necessity of conducting epidemiological studies and the need of clinical trials with adequate study protocols for humans.

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作为潜在的人类抗衰老化合物的新植物化学物质：现实，希望和挑战

衰老是受遗传，生活方式和环境因素影响的必然过程。间接证据表明，几种植物化学物质可以具有抗衰老的能力，尽管该领域的直接证据仍然有限。本报告旨在就与使用新型植物化学物质作为抗衰老剂有关的方面进行批判性评论，讨论在人类中执行大多数抗衰老研究方案时发现的障碍，并分析未来的观点。除了广泛研究白藜芦醇，表儿茶素，槲皮素，和姜黄素，新的植物化学物质已被报道作为抗老化剂，如氨基从绿茶中分离酸L-茶氨酸，和木脂素牛蒡苷元和matairesinol分离自牛蒡拉帕种子。此外，本综述讨论了几种富含植物化学物质的新提取物在抗衰老治疗中的潜在应用。最后，本综述还讨论了测试抗衰老干预措施的最重要的生物标志物，进行流行病学研究的必要性以及对人类进行适当研究方案的临床试验的必要性。