Oridonin is a diterpenoid compound that is found in the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Rabdosia rubescens. It has been shown to have a number of biological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects. Oridonin is also a potent inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which is a key player in the development of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in oridonin as a potential anti-aging compound. Studies in mice have shown that oridonin can extend lifespan and improve healthspan. Oridonin has been shown to work by a number of mechanisms, including:

Inhibiting the mTOR pathway, which is a key pathway involved in cell growth and aging.
Activating the sirtuins, which are a family of proteins that have anti-aging effects.
Reducing inflammation.
Protecting against DNA damage.

Oridonin is still under investigation, and more research is needed to determine its long-term safety and efficacy in humans. However, the early results are promising, and oridonin may be a promising new anti-aging compound.

Here are some of the references:

Oridonin inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and ameliorates inflammatory arthritis in mice: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04947-6
Oridonin is a covalent NLRP3 inhibitor with strong anti-inflammasome activity: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04947-6
Oridonin, a natural terpenoids, inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human cancer cells: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3998497/
Oridonin, a natural diterpenoid from Rabdosia rubescens, inhibits the growth of human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4176461/

Oridonin and rapamycin are both compounds that have been shown to have anti-aging effects. They work by different mechanisms, but they both target the AKT pathway.

The AKT pathway is a key pathway involved in cell growth and aging. It is activated by a number of factors, including insulin, growth factors, and nutrients. When AKT is activated, it promotes cell growth, survival, and proliferation.

Oridonin inhibits AKT by binding to and blocking the PI3K enzyme. PI3K is a key upstream kinase in the AKT pathway. By blocking PI3K, oridonin prevents AKT from being activated.

Rapamycin also inhibits AKT, but it does so by binding to and blocking the mTOR protein. mTOR is a kinase that is downstream of PI3K. By blocking mTOR, rapamycin prevents AKT from being activated.

In addition to inhibiting AKT, oridonin also activates the sirtuins. Sirtuins are a family of proteins that have anti-aging effects. They work by deacetylating proteins, which changes their activity. Oridonin activates sirtuins by binding to and activating the SIRT1 protein.

Rapamycin does not activate sirtuins. However, it does have other anti-aging effects. For example, it inhibits the NF-κB pathway, which is involved in inflammation. Rapamycin also inhibits the expression of the p53 gene, which is involved in cell death.


Similarities and differences between oridonin and rapamycin:

Similarities:

Both oridonin and rapamycin inhibit the AKT pathway.
Both oridonin and rapamycin have been shown to extend lifespan in mice.
Both oridonin and rapamycin have anti-cancer effect

Differences:

Oridonin inhibits AKT by blocking PI3K, while rapamycin inhibits AKT by blocking mTOR.
Oridonin activates sirtuins, while rapamycin does not.
Oridonin has fewer side effects than rapamycin.