Abstract
Loss of tubulin is associated with neurodegeneration and brain aging. Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) has frequently been employed as a spice in curry and traditional medications in the Indian subcontinent to attain longevity and better cognitive performance. We aimed to evaluate the unelucidated mechanism of how turmeric protects the brain to be an anti-aging agent. D. melanogaster was cultured on a regular diet and turmeric-supplemented diet. β-tubulin level and physiological traits including survivability, locomotor activity, fertility, tolerance to oxidative stress, and eye health were analyzed. Turmeric showed a hormetic effect, and 0.5% turmeric was the optimal dose in preventing aging. β-tubulin protein level was decreased in the brain of D. melanogaster upon aging, while a 0.5% turmeric-supplemented diet predominantly prevented this aging-induced loss of β-tubulin and degeneration of physiological traits as well as improved β-tubulin synthesis in the brain of D. melanogaster early to mid-age. The higher concentration (≥ 1%) of turmeric-supplemented diet decreased the β-tubulin level and degenerated many of the physiological traits of D. melanogaster. The turmeric concentration-dependent increase and decrease of β-tubulin level were consistent with the increment and decrement data obtained from the evaluated physiological traits. This correlation demonstrated that turmeric targets β-tubulin and has both beneficial and detrimental effects that depend on the concentration of turmeric. The findings of this study concluded that an optimal dosage of turmeric could maintain a healthy neuron and thus healthy aging, by preventing the loss and increasing the level of β-tubulin in the brain.
Highlights
When Drosophila was fed only a regular diet, male Drosophila died at 57–59 days and female Drosophila died at 59–61 days
With the increased dose of turmeric, there was a remarkable increase in the lifespan of male (69–71 days) and female (71–73 days) Drosophila up to a concentration of 0.5%
A 0.5% turmeric-supplemented diet increased the lifespan by 24% in males and 35% in female D. melanogaster
Summary
Md. Mashiar Rahman and Md. Abdullah AL Noman are equally contributed to this work.Extended author information available on the last page of the articleAging is the gradual decline of organismal physiological functions caused by inevitable molecular and cellular damage. The independent or concerted action of environmental factors (diet) and genetics influence the aging process [1, 2]. This is because aging is an initial risk factor for most age-related disorders like cancer, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, and dementia [3]. Prolonging health through the slowing of aging is the most
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