Effects of 6-Month Supplementation with Multi-Component Herbal Supplement Phytodynamic (TM) on Mitochondrial Function, Telomere Length, and Chronic Inflammation in Adults Aged 65 Years and Older: A Pilot Trial

Herbal supplements are often used by elderly populations in aim to manage age-related traits; yet, most have shown -limited benefits, keeping a quest for safe and effective longevity-promoting mixtures open. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of 6-month supplementation with multi-component herbal mixture P-DNA for telomere length, biomarkers of mitochondrial function and chronic inflammation, and self-reported adverse events in men and women aged 65 years and older. Fourteen older adults (74.6 +/- 6.3 years, height 164.1 +/- 13.0 cm, weight 69.9 +/- 13.4 kg; 11 women) signed an informed consent to voluntarily participate in this randomized controlled parallel-group pilot trial. All participants were allocated in a double-blind design to receive either P-DNA or placebo (inulin) during a 6-month intervention period, with the outcomes assessed at baseline and 6-month follow-up were biomarkers of mitochondrial function (fibroblast growth factor 21, growth-differentiation factor 15), inflammation (high-sensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and amyloid A), and telomere length. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to establish if any significant-differences existed between patients' responses over time of intervention; for data with nonhomogenous variances the Kruskal-Wallis test was employed for the between group comparisons and Freidman's test for the within group comparisons. Growth-differentiation factor 15 significantly dropped after PhytoDyNAmic (TM) intervention as compared to the baseline levels (P = 0.02), while serum interleukin-6 significantly increased from baseline levels in both groups at 6-month follow-up (P < 0.05). No participant reported major side effects of any intervention. PhytoDyNAmic (TM) appears to favorably affect mitochondrial function in adults aged 65 years and older; additional studies are needed to corroborate these promising findings.