Longevity and anti-aging effects of curcumin supplementation

Abstract

Aging is a gradual and irreversible process that is accompanied by an overall decline in cellular function and a significant increase in the risk of age-associated disorders. Generally, delaying aging is a more effective method than treating diseases associated with aging. Currently, researchers are focused on natural compounds and their therapeutic and health benefits. Curcumin is the main active substance that is present in turmeric, a spice that is made up of the roots and rhizomes of the Curcuma longa plant. Curcumin demonstrated a positive impact on slowing down the aging process by postponing age-related changes. This compound may have anti-aging properties by changing levels of proteins involved in the aging process, such as sirtuins and AMPK, and inhibiting pro-aging proteins, such as NF-κB and mTOR. In clinical research, this herbal compound has been extensively examined in terms of safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics. There are numerous effects of curcumin on mechanisms related to aging and human diseases, so we discuss many of them in detail in this review.

Keywords: Aging; Curcumin; Longevity.

Fig. 1

Cellular and molecular changes associated with aging are composed of nine major hallmarks: DNA instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, and altered intercellular communication

Fig. 2

Curcumin has various roles in preventing aging and diseases related to it, among which are its effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, telomere length, signaling pathways, and proteins such as sirtuin