London, Nov. 29: Scientists have claimed to have unlocked the secret of eternal youth in mice which they say could pave the way for a “forever young” drug for humans soon.
The landmark research on mice led by Mr Ronald DePinho of Harvard University in the US found that the effects of ageing can be successfully reversed.
Before the study, the skin, brains, guts and other organs of the rodents resembled those of an 80-year-old person.
But, within just two months of being given a drug that switches on a key enzyme, the animals had grown so many new cells that they had almost completely rejuvenated.
Remarkably, the male mice went from being infertile to fathering large litters, the Daily Mail reported.
The experiments mirror the story of the Hollywood film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, in which the lead character played by American actor Brad Pitt ages in reverse.
According to the scientists in the research team, success of their experiment means development of new drugs that might allow men and women to have children naturally until they are a ripe old age without complications.