The invention relates to methods for identifying compounds which affect cellular stress. In particular, the method relates to identifying compounds which inhibit protein advanced glycation end product formation, where the compounds are carbonyl scavengers which inhibit the formation. The assay involves combing the substance of interest with histone H1 and ADP-ribose, and then measuring fluorescence and protein cross linking. Various inhibitors of protein AGE glycation have been identified, using this assay
