Cycloastragenol

Cycloastragenol is a molecule isolated from various species of Astragalus that is purported to have telomerase activation activity. A single in vitro study done in 2009 led to claims that cycloastragenol may activate telomerase, leading to controversial claims for its role in reducing the effects of aging. Scientist Hector F. Valenzuela. Recently RevGenetics released their conclusions on TA-65 that showed it is the single molecule used in TA-65

Another study showed that TA-65 intake improved health span (not lifespan), however the researchers did not investigate the extension of lifespan in the studied laboratory mice as this was not the focus of the project (it was associated aging diseases). Although the first study was done in 2005 for supplement based telomerase activators, In the 8 years since the first study, there has been no study done that shows a telomerase activator taken as a supplement has extended lifespan.

Many products that contain cycloastragenol are marketed as health supplements, including TA-65MD which is the registered trade name for a product claimed to activate telomerase.

The active ingredient is produced under GMP in the United States by Telomerase Activation Sciences, Inc. (T.A. Sciences). The active ingredient is a patented, naturally occurring, molecule encapsulated in a polymer that has been available on the market since 2005. Its method of action is to activate the hTERT gene, thereby activating the enzyme telomerase. The Cycloastragenol compound was originally discovered by Geron Corporation and licensed to T.A. Sciences. Dr. Bill Andrews of Sierra Sciences has done testing on the anti-aging aspect of TA-65. , however quality trials on the benefits of the product are lacking, and there are no high impact journal articles reviewing the efficacy of the TA65-MD, or indeed cyclostragenol.

Toxicity testing has shown it to be safe for human consumption. In a recent peer-reviewed study published by the low impact factor journal Rejuvenation Research, TA-65 was shown to improve biological markers associated with human health span through the lengthening of short telomeres and rescuing of old cells, although the significance of these findings in actual life expectancy is unknown. Publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals are lacking however, and much of the online documentation supporting its use is sponsored by its manufacturers.

As part of a study sponsored by its manufacturer, TA-65 was tested by UCLA scientist Rita B. Effros and UCLA Visiting Scholar and RevGenetics Scientist Hector F. Valenzuela. The small study (6 participants) found that TA-65 activated telomerase in all samples of subjects tested, while another telomerase activator did not. . The clinical significance of this work is uncertain.

The manufacturer of TA-65 carried out a User Survey (self-reporting) from October 2012 to February 2013. Although a self-selected, self-reported study is of dubious reliability, this questionnaire reported that more than 80% of those returning the survey self-reported improvements in: Immune function, Mood and Sense of General Well-Being, Quality of their hair. 75% of those studied experienced improved joint mobility and skin quality, a reduction in joint pain and colds, improved energy and greater exercise tolerance and endurance. 50% of those studied saw improvements in sleep quality, vision, and sexual function. As disordered telomerase function is a feature of almost all cancers, there is an unknown, but theoretical risk of oncogene-mediated cancer promotion through the use of telomerase activators.

TA-65 was mentioned in the BBC documentary, Don't Grow Old.