New Findings in Anti-Aging Research on S1PC Published in Cell Metabolism (May 8 (JST))
Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Research Group and Dr. Shin-ichiro Imai, Representative Director of the Institute for Research on Productive Aging (IRPA), have discovered for the first time in the world that S1PC™ (S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine) suppresses age-related decline in skeletal muscle function.
The results of this research were published on May 8, 2026 (JST), in the internationally renowned scientific journal “Cell Metabolism”.
NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase), a key enzyme required for the synthesis of NAD+, which is essential for energy production in the body, is secreted into the bloodstream from adipose tissue. NAMPT promotes NAD+ synthesis in organs and tissues that take it up. In particular, adipose-derived NAMPT has been shown to increase NAD+ levels in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain regarded as a control center for aging, thereby contributing to the regulation of systemic aging.
In this collaborative study, the researchers found that S1PC, one of the compounds contained in aged garlic extract:
- promotes NAMPT secretion through activation of LKB1 in adipose tissue
- increases NAD+ levels in the hypothalamus
- enhances skeletal muscle strength in aged mice
- further promotes NAMPT secretion when used in combination with NMN
- increases circulating NAMPT levels in humans maintaining healthy adipose tissue levels
These findings represent the world’s first discovery that S1PC suppresses age-related decline in skeletal muscle function.
In recent years, efforts to realize a healthy longevity society have attracted significant attention both in Japan and internationally. Among these efforts, the development of technologies that contribute to maintaining health has become one of the major challenges.
This study presents a new possibility for contributing to healthy longevity and represents a meaningful achievement in the field of aging prevention research. We will continue advancing our research while accumulating scientific evidence, with the aim of contributing to society in ever more meaningful ways.
※“S1PC” is a registered trademark of Wakunaga Holdings Co., Ltd.
【Publication Information】
Title：Garlic-derived metabolite activates LKB1, promotes adipose eNAMPT secretion, and improves age-related muscle function via hypothalamic signaling.
Authors：
Junichiro Suzuki¹, Kiyoshi Yoshioka²˒³, Masahiro Kurita¹, Takumi Sugimoto⁴, Takahiro Eguchi³, Naoki Ito³, Ayumu Kodama³, Yasutomi Kamei⁴, Masahiro Otani¹, Toshiaki Matsutomo¹, and Shin-ichiro Imai²˒⁵
Affiliations：
1.Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
2.Institute for Research on Productive Aging (IRPA)
3.National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology
4.Kyoto Prefectural University
5.Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Journal：
• Click here to visit the Cell Metabolism website
• Click here for the full paper and publication details
【For More Information】
• Click here to visit the website of IRPA