Is still not clear how the drug slows down ageing, say the

To those with a headache, it already works miracles. But ibuprofen could also hold the key to a long and healthy life.

In a series of experiments, the popular painkiller extended the life of yeast, worms and flies by around 15 per cent.

What is more, the extra years were healthy ones.

In human terms, this would equate to an extra 12 years of good quality life. Put another way, people would be in good health for longer.

Scroll down for video

The doses of ibuprofen used in the study were similar to those taken daily by millions of people to treat headaches, muscle pain, sprains and flu

The US researchers said: ‘There is a lot to be excited about.

‘Ibuprofen is a relatively safe drug found in most people’s medicine cabinets.’

In one of the experiments, worms given ibuprofen throughout life were healthy for longer.

Lead researcher, Dr Chong He, of the Buck Institute for Age Research in California, said: ‘Healthy worms tended to thrash a lot and treated worms thrashed much longer than would normally be expected.

‘As they aged, they also swallowed food much faster than expected.

‘Our preliminary data showed ibuprofen also extended their lifespan.’

The doses used were similar to those taken daily by millions of people to treat headaches, muscle pain, sprains and flu.

It is not clear exactly how the drug, which is sold under brand names such as Nurofen, slowed down ageing.

But it appears to be something to do with it stopping cells taking up tryptophan, a compound found in eggs and chocolate and turkey.

Researcher Dr Michael Polymenis, of Texas A&M University, said: ‘We think that a promising aspect of our study is that existing and fairly safe drugs, such as ibuprofen, are worth looking at further.

‘As a proof of principle, our study supports the idea that drugs in common use may have unexpected properties.

The popular painkiller extended the life of yeast, worms and flies by around 15 per cent. In human terms, this would equate to an extra 12 years of good quality life (file picture)

IBUPROFEN MAY KEEP SKIN CANCER AT BAY, TOO An analysis of nine studies on ibuprofen, aspirin and similar painkillers found them to cut the odds of the second most common type of skin cancer by almost a fifth. Ibuprofen was more effective than aspirin at protecting against squamous cell carcinoma. It is thought it mops up a chemical that is made by skin in intense sunlight and can feed cancer. The research, from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia, is published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Advertisement

'We just need more research to examine and understand these properties.’

He does not, however, anyone to start self-medicating themselves without speaking to their doctor.

Although ibuprofen is thought of as a safe drug, it can cause indigestion and stomach ulcers.

Higher doses taken long-term for conditions like arthritis can raise the risk of strokes and heart attacks and even reduce a woman’s fertility.

The study, published in the journal PLoS Genetics, is not the first to suggest that ibuprofen, which costs as little as 2p a pill, could be a wonder drug.