Cycloastragenol · Cycloastragenol (9,19-cycloartane-triterpene glycoside aglycone; also known as TAT2 / TA-65 active compound)
A triterpenoid saponin derived from Astragalus membranaceus that activates the enzyme telomerase, marketed as the first natural compound shown to lengthen telomeres in humans.
Short answer
Cycloastragenol (Cycloastragenol (9,19-cycloartane-triterpene glycoside aglycone; also known as TAT2 / TA-65 active compound)) is a telomerase activator with evidence grade C, meaning it is backed by mixed or small human trials. We track 0 produkter containing Cycloastragenol. The top-ranked product scores 0 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $0.00 per månad.
What it is
Cycloastragenol is a small molecule extracted (or semi-synthesized) from the root of Astragalus membranaceus, a plant used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is the active ingredient behind the commercial supplement TA-65.
Why people take it
Telomeres are protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that shorten as cells divide; when they get too short, cells stop dividing or die, a process linked to aging. Cycloastragenol activates telomerase, the enzyme that rebuilds telomeres, so the idea is that it could slow or partly reverse this cellular aging clock.
Our verdict
One small human RCT (using the patented TA-65MD formulation) showed measurable telomere lengthening over about a year, which is a genuinely novel result, but the study was small, industry-linked, and has not been independently replicated at scale. The evidence is promising but far from conclusive, and cycloastragenol itself faces regulatory uncertainty as a novel food in the EU.
Structure & class
Cycloastragenol is the aglycone of astragaloside IV, formed by removing the sugar (glycoside) groups. It crosses cell membranes more readily than its parent glycoside and has been shown in vitro to increase telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) activity in fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and neuronal cell lines.
Mechanism & clinical data
Mechanistically, cycloastragenol upregulates hTERT expression/activity via signaling pathways including ERK/MAPK activation, without appearing to promote oncogenic transformation in tested cell models. The pivotal human trial (Salvador et al. 2016, TACTIC study) used the proprietary TA-65MD formulation (8 mg/day equivalent dose per capsule tier) in a randomized, dubbelblind, placebokontrollerad design over roughly one year, reporting significant telomere elongation in the treatment arm measured by flow-FISH. A separate PK/metabolism study found cycloastragenol is well absorbed intestinally but undergoes extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism (only ~8.2% of parent compound remaining after 30 minutes in human liver microsomes), raising bioavailability questions for non-proprietary formulations.
Pharmacokinetics
Short plasma half-life due to rapid hepatic first-pass metabolism (only ~8% of parent compound remains after 30 min in human liver microsomes); proprietary TA-65MD formulation designed to improve delivery.
Dose & forms
What to watch out for
Theoretical cancer-risk concern with any telomerase activator (unchecked telomerase activity is a hallmark of many cancers), though no signal seen in existing human data; most non-proprietary extracts lack the bioavailability engineering of the studied TA-65 formulation; classified as an unauthorized Novel Food in the EU as of 2026, restricting legal sale of high-purity extracts.
Where this dose comes from
The trial dose above is our editorial pick from the published human trials for this ingredient. We choose the dose that the best-available studies used on the endpoint most relevant to longevity. The range shows the lowest and highest doses tested in published trials. The landmark studies below are the papers we read to set it. You can click through and check our work.
When new trials publish, our automated sweeps flag them. If a new study materially changes the dose, we update it through editorial review and record the old dose, new dose, and the triggering study in every affected product's recommendation history. The dose is never changed automatically.
Regelverk status
Timeline
Regelverk events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Cycloastragenol, most recent first. Every entry links to its primär source.
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High-purity cycloastragenol classified as unauthorized Novel Food in EUHigh-purity cycloastragenol (>=98%) extracts were classified as unauthorized or under review as Novel Food in the EU. Traditional whole-herb Astragalus preparations remain widely available, but concentrated telomere-activating extracts face EU market restrictions.
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EU Court sharpens the bar for botanical health claimsA Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in april 2025 further tightened the requirements for how botanical ingredients (herbs, plant extracts) can be marketed with health claims in the EU, effectively removing much of the flexibility of the on-hold list.
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EU report identifies 117 supplement substances as potential health risksThe HoA Working Group on Food Supplements (26 European countries) published its first report evaluating 117 substances used in food supplements. Of these, 65 were assessed as likely novel foods, 6 were already regulated, 34 had insufficient data, and 12 were prioritized for Article 8 restriction under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006. The 12 priority substances include ashwagandha, curcumin, melatonin, piperine, St. John's wort, coumarin, p-synephrine, maca, holy basil, Melaleuca, black cohosh, and L-tryptophan. The report drew on 1,500 RASFF alerts reviewed between 2017 and mid-2022.
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Salvador L, et al. (2016). A Natural Product Telomerase Activator Lengthens Telomeres in Humans: A Randomized, Double Blind, and Placebo Controlled Studie. Rejuvenation Research. PMID 26950204.Salvador L, et al. (2016). A Natural Product Telomerase Activator Lengthens Telomeres in Humans: A Randomized, Double Blind, and Placebo Controlled Studie. Rejuvenation Research. PMID 26950204.
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EU Health Claims Regulation adoptedRegulation (EC) No 1924/2006 laid down harmonised rules for nutrition and health claims made on foods, including supplements. Only claims listed in the EU Register of authorised claims can be used. Rejected botanical claims are held in a separate on-hold list.
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EU introduces the Novel Food RegulationRegulation (EC) No 258/97 required any food or food ingredient without a history of consumption in the EU before 15 maj 1997 to be authorised before being placed on the market. This is the framework that captures NMN, spermidine as a supplement ingredient, urolithin A, and many other longevity actives.
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Cycloastragenol is a potent telomerase activator in neuronal cells: implications for depression management. PMID 25095809.Cycloastragenol is a potent telomerase activator in neuronal cells: implications for depression management. PMID 25095809.
Landmark studies
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Salvador L, et al. (2016). A Natural Product Telomerase Activator Lengthens Telomeres in Humans: A Randomized, Double Blind, and Placebo Controlled Studie. Rejuvenation Research. PMID 26950204.
Salvador L, et al. (2016). A Natural Product Telomerase Activator Lengthens Telomeres in Humans: A Randomized, Double Blind, and Placebo Controlled Studie. Rejuvenation Research. PMID 26950204.
Läs studie → -
Cycloastragenol is a potent telomerase activator in neuronal cells: implications for depression management. PMID 25095809.
Cycloastragenol is a potent telomerase activator in neuronal cells: implications for depression management. PMID 25095809.
Läs studie →
Found in these produkter
Alla produkter in our catalog that contain Cycloastragenol, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.
No produkter in our catalog contain this yet.
Buying guides and comparisons
Related ingredients
Se alla in Telomerase activator →Molekyler in the same class, plus the actives most often formulated alongside Cycloastragenol in our catalogue.
Nothing else in the database sits close enough to this molecule to list.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cycloastragenol?
Cycloastragenol is a small molecule extracted (or semi-synthesized) from the root of Astragalus membranaceus, a plant used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is the active ingredient behind the commercial supplement TA-65.
What dose of Cycloastragenol should I take?
The trial dose in published human studies is 8 mg per dag, with a range of 8 to 16 mg per dag. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement.
Is Cycloastragenol safe?
Theoretical cancer-risk concern with any telomerase activator (unchecked telomerase activity is a hallmark of many cancers), though no signal seen in existing human data; most non-proprietary extracts lack the bioavailability engineering of the studied TA-65 formulation; classified as an unauthorized Novel Food in the EU as of 2026, restricting legal sale of high-purity extracts.
What is the best Cycloastragenol supplement?
We track 0 produkter containing Cycloastragenol. The top-ranked product scores 0 out of 10 on our composite scale, which evaluates dose, evidence, price, third-party testing, and transparency. See the comparison table above. Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard.
What is the evidence grade for Cycloastragenol?
Cycloastragenol has evidence grade C, meaning it is backed by mixed or small human trials. Grade A means replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints. Grade B means human RCTs with biomarker outcomes. Grade C means mixed or small human trials. See our evidence grading methodology.
Data verification
Bevisning grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new produkter are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.