Therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in multi-tissue aging: Mechanisms and research progress

Aging is a progressive, multifactorial process characterized by systemic functional decline and increased susceptibility to diseases such as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and metabolic disorders. Despite advances in understanding its molecular mechanisms, including oxidative stress, cellular senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, and chronic inflammation, effective interventions to delay or reverse aging remain limited. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) have recently emerged as a promising therapeutic option due to their strong proliferative capacity, multilineage differentiation potential, low immunogenicity, and potent paracrine effects. This review summarizes current advances in the use of HUCMSCs for ameliorating multi-tissue aging, focusing on their mechanisms and advantages over other mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) types. HUCMSCs alleviate age-associated dysfunction in various organs by modulating oxidative stress, immune senescence, and inflammation, and by activating antioxidant and regenerative pathways, for instance, Nrf2/HO-1. In skin aging, they restore collagen synthesis and inhibit matrix degradation; in reproductive aging, they enhance ovarian and uterine function; in nervous system aging, they improve cognitive decline and promote neuronal repair; and in musculoskeletal aging, they attenuate sarcopenia and osteoarthritis through exosome-mediated paracrine signaling. Compared with bone marrow- and adipose-derived MSCs, HUCMSCs exhibit superior proliferation, differentiation, and safety profiles, making them highly suitable for anti-aging applications. This review highlights HUCMSCs as a pivotal cell source in regenerative medicine, offering vital insights into developing effective, multi-organ strategies for delaying aging and promoting healthy longevity.