Aging is a multifaceted process that is associated with progressive, lethal, and unalterable changes like damage to different molecules (DNA, proteins, and lipids), cells, tissues, and organs. It is an inevitable process but can be delayed by both genetic and dietary interventions. Besides aging, premature death and age-associated diseases can be dealt with diet regulation and the use of compounds that inhibit the stress responsiveness or promote the damage repair signaling pathways. Natural compounds offer a repertoire of highly diverse structural scaffolds that can offer hopeful candidate chemical entities with antiaging potential. One such source of natural compounds is millets, which are minor cereals with an abundance of high fiber, methionine, calcium, iron, polyphenols, and secondary metabolites, responsible for numerous potential health benefits. The present review article elucidates the nature and significance of different phytochemicals derived from millets with a major focus on finger millet and highlights all the important studies supporting their health benefits with special emphasis on the antiaging effect of these compounds. The present article also proposes the possible mechanisms through which millets can play a significant role in the suppression of aging processes and aging-related diseases by influencing genetic repair, protein glycation, and stress-responsive pathways. We further discuss well-established natural compounds for their use as antiaging drugs and recommend raising awareness for designing novel formulations/combinations from them so that their maximum antiaging potential can be harnessed for the benefit of mankind.

Five varieties of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L. (Dunal) i.e. Chetak, Pratap, Nimithli, Poshita and Jawahar-20 were analysed for withanolide A and withaferin A. These components were evaluated from leaf, stem, root and seeds using HPLC. These components were present in all these tissues. However, their content varies from tissues to tissue and variety to variety viz (Chetak, Pratap, Nimithli, Poshita and Jawahar-20). Withaferin A and withanolide A contents were found to be highest in Poshita followed by Jawahar-20. Withaferin A and withanolide A contents were also evaluated and compared in field grown and in-vitro grown plants of Poshita and Jawahar-20. Callus derived from Poshita root showed highest withaferin A content however, withanolide A was found to be highest in callus derived from Jawahar-20 leaf. Thus this study indicates that promoting an elite variety through tissue culture with consistency in the withanolide contents can be a promising approach to meet the growing demand of Ashwagandha.

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