Physiological hormesis and hormetins in biogerontology

Research on the biology of aging and possibilities of interventions has gained a significant push forward by incorporating the concept of mild stress-induced physiological hormesis. Mild stress induced-activation of adaptive and protective pathways in cells and organisms has numerous health-promoting, aging-modulatory and lifespan-extending effects. Moderate and repeated physical exercise is the paradigm for physiological hormesis. Molecular mechanisms for the action of hormetins comprise a cascade of primary stress response pathways, including oxidative stress response, heat shock response, unfolded protein stress response, autophagy, DNA damage response, inflammatory response and sirtuin activation response. Hormetin-based strengthening of the organismic ability of homeodynamics or dynamic homeostasis is a promising holistic approach towards health maintenance, recovery, and promotion for healthy aging and longevity.