Curcumin extends the lifespan of aging postmitotic cells with mitochondrial dysfunction

Abstract

Aging is an inevitable biological process intricately linked to age-related diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, sarcopenia, and age-related macular degeneration. These ailments are often exacerbated by mitochondrial dysfunction, which plays a pivotal role in postmitotic cells. Curcumin, a natural compound, is explored for its anti-aging potential. This study explores the influence of curcumin on the postmitotic cellular lifespan (PoMiCL) of yeast during chronological aging, examining its potential implications for age-related diseases. Our findings reveal that curcumin significantly extends the lifespan of postmitotic wildtype yeast cells, with maximal effects observed at lower concentrations, displaying a hormetic response. Importantly, curcumin mitigates accelerated aging in cells afflicted by mitochondrial dysfunction. Intriguingly, the hormetic effect is absent under these conditions. Mechanistically, curcumin enhances ATP levels but induces oxidative stress and inhibits TORC1. These findings shed light on curcumins potential as an anti-aging modulator and its relevance to age-related diseases, offering insights into novel therapeutic approaches for healthy aging while highlighting the context-dependent nature of its effects.