Selegiline

Intervention

30 papers71 findings

PubChem ChEBI MeSH

12 independent labs in 7 countries
5 findings against

Funders: National Institute on Aging and 3 more
7 of 58 findings with company ties

Animals28

Outcomes

Lifespan

upin rats11upin mice4upin reviews3no changein dogs1+4

19 studies

Selegiline has no effect on lifespan in dogs.
“When accounting for age at enrollment and sex, the study no longer displayed a significant effect on survival, though power was limited by small sample size.”
Reviewwhen accounting for age at enrollment and sex
L-deprenyl extends lifespan across mammalian species: A meta-analysis of 22 longevity experiments
Ageing research reviews13 Aug 2025
Selegiline extends lifespan in Rodentia (SMD = 0.6773, p = 0.0002).
“The results indicate L-deprenyl significantly increases average lifespan with moderate effect size (SMD = 0.6773, p = 0.0002).”
Review
L-deprenyl extends lifespan across mammalian species: A meta-analysis of 22 longevity experiments
Ageing research reviews13 Aug 2025
Selegiline shortens lifespan in rats.
“however, rats given a 1.0 mg/kg dose began dying earlier than control rats, leading to an inverse U-shaped dose-efficacy relationship, a hormesis.”
Animals1.0 mg/kgmales
The necessity of having a proper dose of (-)deprenyl (D) to prolong the life spans of rats explains discrepancies among different studies in the past
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences1 May 2006
Selegiline extends lifespan in rats.
“Average life spans of animals were significantly longer in male rats given 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg/inj.”
Animals0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg/inj.males
The necessity of having a proper dose of (-)deprenyl (D) to prolong the life spans of rats explains discrepancies among different studies in the past
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences1 May 2006
Selegiline extends lifespan in rats (+8.1% (895 +/- 109.7 vs 967.8 +/- 88.6 days, P<0.01)).
“Average life spans of animals (days) were significantly increased in both male (895 +/- 109.7, n=30; 967.8 +/- 88.6, n=30, control vs. D treated, P<0.01, t-test)”
Animals0.25 mg/kg/injection, 3 times a weekmalesn = 30
Dose-dependency of life span prolongation of F344/DuCrj rats injected with (-)deprenyl
Biogerontology1 Jan 2005
Selegiline extends lifespan.
“the success in extending life span of 4 different animal species (mice, rats, hamsters, and dogs) with (-)deprenyl”
Reviewin 4 different animal species
Do antioxidant strategies work against aging and age-associated disorders? Propargylamines: a possible antioxidant strategy
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences1 Apr 2001
Selegiline extends lifespan.
“(-)Deprenyl has been reported to prolong the life span of different animal species.”
Review
Common properties for propargylamines of enhancing superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the dopaminergic system in the rat: implications for the life prolonging effect of (-)deprenyl
Journal of neural transmission. Supplementum1 Jan 2000
Selegiline extends lifespan.
“a significant prolongation of survival by chronic administration of the drug has been reported by different groups including that of the authors”
Reviewchronic
Pharmacological modifications of endogenous antioxidant enzymes with special reference to the effects of deprenyl: a possible antioxidant strategy
Mechanisms of ageing and development1 Nov 1999
Selegiline has no effect on lifespan in mice.
“two studies with different doses in mice did not reveal a significantly positive effect.”
Review
Assessing the effects of deprenyl on longevity and antioxidant defenses in different animal models
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences20 Nov 1998
Selegiline extends lifespan in rats.
“Although in rats of both sexes, we have obtained positive effects on longevity”
Review
Assessing the effects of deprenyl on longevity and antioxidant defenses in different animal models
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences20 Nov 1998
Selegiline extends lifespan in mice (up to about 200%).
“significantly (p < 0.05) prolongated survival time up to about 200% as compared to the control animals.”
Animalsimmunosuppressed75 micrograms per kg of body weight and per day
Influence of selegiline and lipoic acid on the life expectancy of immunosuppressed mice
Arzneimittel-Forschung1 Jun 1997
Selegiline extends lifespan in mice (6-9%).
“Life spans of aging mice were increased 6-9% by the drug.”
Animalssubcutaneous injection0.25 mg/kg
L-deprenyl treatment in aged mice slightly increases life spans, and greatly reduces fecundity by aged males
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences1 Nov 1996
Selegiline extends lifespan in rats.
“(-)deprenyl treated group were all alive at that age. Moreover three (-)deprenyl treated female rats reached 36 months of age.”
Animalsovariectomized(-)deprenyl0.25 mg/kgtill decayfemalesn = 9
Longevity treatment with (-)deprenyl in female rats: effect on copulatory activity and lifespan
Acta physiologica Hungarica1 Jan 1996
Selegiline extends lifespan in rats.
“Treatment with L-deprenyl increases mean and maximum life span in the rat”
Review
Influence of treatment with L-deprenyl on the structure of the cerebellar cortex of aged rats
Mechanisms of ageing and development1 Aug 1994
Selegiline extends lifespan in rats (+34% average life span after 24 months).
“The average life span after 24 months was 34% greater in treated rats than in saline-treated control animals.”
Animalssc 3 times a week0.5 mg/kg per daymales
(-)Deprenyl increases the life span as well as activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase but not of glutathione peroxidase in selective brain regions in Fischer rats
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences30 Jun 1994
Selegiline extends lifespan in mice (220% from study start, 160% from birth).
“The 50% survival rate of the latter group was 160% from birth or 220% from the beginning of the study.”
Animalsimmunosuppressed (nu/nu)diet admixture4 mg / 10 kg dietn = 14
Lifespan of immunosuppressed NMRI-mice is increased by deprenyl
Journal of neural transmission. Supplementum1 Jan 1994
Selegiline extends lifespan in rats (152.54 +/- 1.36 weeks vs 134.58 +/- 2.29 weeks).
“lived 152.54 +/- 1.36 weeks, significantly longer than their salt-treated peers”
Animalssexually inactive (low performing)subcutaneously0.25 mg/kguntil they diedmalesn = 48
Sexually low performing male rats die earlier than their high performing peers and (-)deprenyl treatment eliminates this difference
Life sciences1 Jan 1994
Selegiline extends lifespan in rats (15% from 18 months).
“The increases in average life expectancies caused by deprenyl treatment (15% from 18 months and 34% from 24 months) were both statistically significant (P < 0.05, two-tailed t-test).”
Animalstreated 3 times a week until natural death0.5 mg/kgfrom 18 months until deathmalesn = 35
Chronic treatment of (-)deprenyl prolongs the life span of male Fischer 344 rats. Further evidence
Life sciences1 Jan 1993
Selegiline extends lifespan in humans.
“Parkinson's disease patients on levodopa plus (-)deprenyl (10 mg daily) live significantly longer than those on levodopa alone”
ReviewParkinson's disease patients on levodopa10 mg daily
(-)Deprenyl-medication: a strategy to modulate the age-related decline of the striatal dopaminergic system
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society1 Aug 1992
Selegiline extends lifespan in rats.
“significantly lengthens the life-span as compared with saline-treated rats”
Reviewsaline-treated controlmales
(-)Deprenyl-medication: a strategy to modulate the age-related decline of the striatal dopaminergic system
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society1 Aug 1992
Selegiline extends lifespan in mice.
“DLRE and (-)deprenyl significantly increased the memory function as well as surviving time of aged mice.”
AnimalsOFA-1 mice3 times a weekUntil end of lifemales
Extension of lifespan in mice treated with Dinh lang (Policias fruticosum L.) and (-)deprenyl
Acta physiologica Hungarica1 Jan 1992
Selegiline extends lifespan in rats (191.91 +/- 2.31 weeks vs 147.05 +/- 0.56 weeks).
“The average lifespan was 191.91 +/- 2.31 weeks. This is the first instance that a well-aimed medication prolonged lifespan of members of a species beyond their maximum age of death”
Animalss.c.0.25 mg/kguntil deathmalesn = 66
The pharmacology of selegiline ((-)deprenyl). New aspects
Acta neurologica Scandinavica. Supplementum1 Jan 1989
Selegiline extends lifespan in rats (191.91 +/- 2.31 weeks vs 147.05 +/- 0.56 weeks).
“The lifespan was 191.91 +/- 2.31 weeks.”
Animalss.c.0.25 mg/kguntil deathmalesn = 66
Striatal dopamine, sexual activity and lifespan. Longevity of rats treated with (-)deprenyl
Life sciences1 Jan 1989

Superoxide dismutase

upin rats8upin reviews2upin mice1no changein rats1

11 studies

Selegiline increases superoxide dismutase in rats.
“indicating a significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in brain dopaminergic regions with four lower doses (0.25 to 2 mg/kg/inj., 3 times a week)”
Animalsbrain dopaminergic regions0.25 to 2 mg/kg/inj.1 month
The necessity of having a proper dose of (-)deprenyl (D) to prolong the life spans of rats explains discrepancies among different studies in the past
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences1 May 2006
Selegiline increases superoxide dismutase in rats.
“the drug effectively increases antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in brain dopaminergic regions”
Reviewbrain dopaminergic regions
Common properties for propargylamines of enhancing superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the dopaminergic system in the rat: implications for the life prolonging effect of (-)deprenyl
Journal of neural transmission. Supplementum1 Jan 2000
Selegiline increases superoxide dismutase.
“repeated administration of the drug for 2-3 weeks can significantly increase activities of both types of superoxide dismutase (SODs) (Cu, Zn-, and Mn-SODs)”
Reviewbrain dopaminergic regions2-3 weeks
Pharmacological modifications of endogenous antioxidant enzymes with special reference to the effects of deprenyl: a possible antioxidant strategy
Mechanisms of ageing and development1 Nov 1999
Selegiline increases superoxide dismutase.
“significantly positive effects on SOD (in Cu, Zn-, and Mn-) as well as CAT (but not glutathione peroxidase) activities in the brain dopaminergic system”
Reviewbrain
Assessing the effects of deprenyl on longevity and antioxidant defenses in different animal models
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences20 Nov 1998
Selegiline increases superoxide dismutase in rats (2-3-fold).
“Continued subcutaneous infusion of deprenyl for 3 weeks caused a 2-3-fold increase in activities of both Cu Zn- and Mn-SOD”
Animalssubcutaneous infusionstriatum and substantia nigra3 weeksmales
Upregulation of antioxidant enzyme activities by deprenyl. Implications for life span extension
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences15 Jun 1996
Selegiline increases superoxide dismutase in mice.
“The dose of 0.5 mg/kg (3 times a week) was most effective in increasing SOD and CAT activities in S. nigra, striatum and cerebral cortex”
Animalss.c.brain0.5 mg/kg 3 times a week3 monthsmales
Long term treatment with (-)deprenyl reduces the optimal dose as well as the effective dose range for increasing antioxidant enzyme activities in old mouse brain
Life sciences1 Jan 1996
Selegiline increases superoxide dismutase in rats.
“deprenyl significantly increased activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase but not of glutathione peroxidase in selective brain regions”
Animalscontinuous sc infusionbrain3 wk
(-)Deprenyl increases the life span as well as activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase but not of glutathione peroxidase in selective brain regions in Fischer rats
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences30 Jun 1994
Selegiline has no effect on superoxide dismutase in rats.
“there were no significant differences in enzyme activities between control and deprenyl-treated groups in the hippocampus and cerebellum”
Animalsoldhippocampus0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg/day6 monthsfemales
The effect of a long term (6 months) treatment with (-)deprenyl on antioxidant enzyme activities in selective brain regions in old female Fischer 344 rats
Biochemical pharmacology20 Apr 1994
Selegiline increases superoxide dismutase in rats.
“increased the activities of both enzymes in substantia nigra, striatum and cerebral cortices essentially in a dose dependent manner”
Animalsolds.c. injection three times a weeksubstantia nigra6 monthsfemales
The effect of a long term (6 months) treatment with (-)deprenyl on antioxidant enzyme activities in selective brain regions in old female Fischer 344 rats
Biochemical pharmacology20 Apr 1994
Selegiline increases superoxide dismutase in rats.
“Continuous s.c. infusion of deprenyl for 3 wks increased activities of SOD and catalase (CAT) in striatum, substantia nigra and cortical regions”
Animalscontinuous s.c. infusionstriatum, substantia nigra and cortical regions0.5 mg/kg/day3 wksmales
The optimal dosage of (-)deprenyl for increasing superoxide dismutase activities in several brain regions decreases with age in male Fischer 344 rats
Life sciences1 Jan 1993
Selegiline increases superoxide dismutase in rats.
“(-)Deprenyl-treatment (0.25-2 mg/kg, s.c., daily for 21 days) increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the striatum of CFY rats”
Animalss.c., dailystriatum0.25-2 mg/kg21 days
The pharmacology of selegiline ((-)deprenyl). New aspects
Acta neurologica Scandinavica. Supplementum1 Jan 1989
Selegiline increases superoxide dismutase in rats.
“increases superoxide dismutase activity in the striatum”
Animalsstriatum
The striatal dopamine dependency of life span in male rats. Longevity study with (-)deprenyl
Mechanisms of ageing and development1 Dec 1988