Russian scientists say they have created a new type of antioxidant which is expected to have an influence on mitochondrions - cells responsible for human organism ageing.

      According to Maxim Skulachev from the Moscow State University, "exerting influence upon mitochondrions can possibly help to postpone ageing". He added that mitochondrions and their unusual behaviour were often linked to heart attacks, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

      "If the diseases develop slower after our medicine affecting mitochondrions, our idea to postpone ageing will be right. Which means that mitochondrions can make our life longer", Skulachev says. However, he finds it significant to add that modern science still doesn't know any methods to cancel ageing or to postpone it greatly.

      Scientists hope that medicine based on the new antioxidant formula will help to prolong people's life to 120 years at least. Currently the medicine is being tested on rats, mice and dogs.