Evidence Trace, complete trial record

In plain terms

In plain terms: C60 (Carbon-60 / Buckminsterfullerene) has not yet been tested in a human trial designed to measure the outcome relevant here. The available human research does not yet answer the question.

C60 (Carbon-60 / Buckminsterfullerene)

D Not shown: no human trial shows benefit

Route 1 — no qualifying human trial has been conducted

Category Supplements

Evidence Animal study only (rat lifespan); no human trial → D Route 1

Reviewed July 2026

PMIDs 22498298 · 33123847 · 41861269 · 33849306

The endpoint this grade is based on: Hard clinical endpoint (mortality, major event), No human trial of oral C60 has been run; the only human randomized trials of fullerene are topical. Route 1: animal and mechanistic data only, and the animal studies disagree with each other. C60 in olive oil extended lifespan in a small 2012 rat study that has not been reproduced; a 2021 mouse study found C60-in-oil mice outlived oil-fed controls but not water-fed controls, pointing at the vehicle; another 2021 mouse experiment reported light-dependent toxicity and no lifespan extension. Sold as an antioxidant with no established human use case.

The evidence as the record states it

Evidence record

PMID 22498298 PMID 33123847 PMID 41861269 PMID 33849306

Baati et al. (Biomaterials, 2012; PMID 22498298): C60 in olive oil extended lifespan in RATS, a small study not reproduced since. Shytikov et al. (Rejuvenation Res, 2021; PMID 33849306): mice given C60 in olive oil for 7 months lived longer than mice given olive oil alone but no longer than mice given water, which suggests the comparison reflects the vehicle rather than C60. Grohn et al. (GeroScience, 2021; PMID 33123847): a mouse experiment reporting light-dependent toxicity and no lifespan extension. No human trial of oral C60 was identified. Liu et al. (J Clin Oncol, 2026; PMID 41861269): randomized trial of topical fullerene for radiation dermatitis; a different route and use.

PMID 22498298 PMID 33123847 PMID 41861269 PMID 33849306

Animal lifespan data and mechanistic plausibility are excluded from EBL grades by rule. They inform the scientific rationale but do not carry the letter.

Why Grade D Route 1 and not Grade C

Grade D Route 1 applies when no qualifying human randomized trial has tested this compound or intervention against the relevant endpoint. Absence confirmed: C60 OR fullerene AND randomized controlled trial[pt] AND humans[mesh] (PubMed, July 2026)

The first qualifying human RCT with a meaningful endpoint would move this to Grade C or higher, depending on what it shows.

What would move this grade

The first qualifying randomized controlled trial in humans, testing this intervention against a meaningful aging-relevant endpoint, would initiate grading. Depending on the result, it could land at any grade from A to D.

How to track whether this is working N/A. Human efficacy, dose and safety are not established; no human trial of oral C60 was identified.