Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program: the putative mTOR inhibitors Cinnarizine and Meclizine do not extend lifespan in C. elegans.

Abstract

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a protein kinase and master cell regulator, is one of the most validated longevity drug targets: mTOR inhibition by compounds like rapamycin has been shown to significantly extend lifespan in numerous model organisms. Here, we tested whether the novel putative mTOR-inhibiting compounds cinnarizine and meclizine could likewise increase lifespan in the nematode C. elegans , following standardized protocols from the Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program (CITP). Our results indicate that cinnarizine and meclizine have no effect on C. elegans lifespan at lower doses, and that both compounds exert a toxic effect at higher doses, significantly shortening lifespan.