Mechanisms of action of curcumin on aging: nutritional and pharmacological applications

Abstract

Curcumin is an active polyphenol from the rhizome of Curcuma longa (turmeric) that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and widely investigated in the last decades. The numerous activities reported for curcumin are related with its peculiar structure and modulation of multiple molecular and biochemical targets. Many of them impact in the recently proposed hallmarks of aging. Curcumin is viewed nowadays as a potential phytochemical useful for aging interventions as shown by its actions on healthspan and longevity in different model organisms. This polyphenol is also increasingly associated with health promoting effects by its potential in the prevention and treatment of aging-related diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. To solve the low bioavailability of curcumin, new formulations are being developed to envisage its use in functional foods and for pharmacological applications to promote healthy aging. This will be the step forward for this golden nutraceutical.