A team of South Korean researchers has discovered a natural anti-aging substance.

Scientists at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology say the substance beta-lapachone, which is rich in plants like lapacho trees and red sages, activates the coenzyme NAD+ and slows aging.

The research team mixed the substance into feed for older mice in a test. The results show that the mice’s movement and cognitive functions improved significantly compared to those that weren't given the substance.

Though the mice did not eat less or exercise more, their body fat dropped, muscle mass increased and brain cells became more active in a period of three months.

The new discovery is expected to help prevent and treat senile diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's disease.

The findings were published in the latest issue of the biology journal “PLoS One." The substance will be commercialized after clinical testing.