• Longevity and anti‑aging effects of curcumin supplementation
  • Mehran Izadi,1 Nariman Sadri,2 Amirhossein Abdi,3 Mohammad Mahdi Raeis zadeh,4 Mohammad Mahdi Ghazimoradi,5 Safa Tahmasebi,6,*
    1. Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    2. School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    3. School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    4. School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    5. School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
    6. Student Research Committee, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran


  • Introduction: Introduction: Aging is an irreversible biological process characterized by a decline in cellular function and an increased risk of age-related diseases. Rather than treating these diseases individually, delaying the aging process itself offers a more effective strategy. Curcumin, the primary bioactive compound in turmeric (Curcuma longa), has emerged as a promising natural agent with demonstrated anti-aging potential. It modulates key aging-related pathways, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular senescence, by influencing proteins such as sirtuins, AMPK, NF-κB, and mTOR. This review synthesizes current evidence on the mechanisms and clinical applications of curcumin in promoting longevity and mitigating age-related pathologies.
  • Methods: Methods: A comprehensive review of pre-clinical and clinical literature was conducted to evaluate the anti-aging effects of curcumin. Studies included in vitro and in vivo models investigating curcumin’s impact on oxidative stress, inflammation, telomere maintenance, and signaling pathways such as mTOR, AMPK, and sirtuins. Clinical trials involving various curcumin formulations—such as Meriva, Theracurmin, and nanocurcumin—were analyzed to assess bioavailability, safety, and efficacy in humans. Data from randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and mechanistic investigations were integrated to provide a holistic overview.
  • Results: Results: Curcumin exerts multi-faceted anti-aging effects through potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces oxidative stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity (e.g., SOD, catalase). Curcumin inhibits pro-inflammatory pathways like NF-κB, lowering cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1, which are elevated in aging (“inflammaging”). It also modulates longevity-associated pathways by activating AMPK and sirtuins (e.g., SIRT1), inhibiting mTOR, and promoting telomerase activity in normal cells. Pre-clinical studies show curcumin protects against neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and metabolic disorders. Clinically, bioavailable formulations of curcumin improve outcomes in conditions like psoriasis, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome, with doses ranging from 80 mg to 2 g/day demonstrating efficacy and safety.
  • Conclusion: Conclusion: Curcumin represents a potent, naturally derived compound with significant potential to delay aging and reduce the burden of age-related diseases. Its pleiotropic mechanisms—ranging from oxidative stress reduction and inflammation modulation to epigenetic regulation—support its role as a geroprotective agent. However, challenges related to its poor bioavailability necessitate advanced formulations to enhance clinical efficacy. Future research should focus on long-term human studies, optimal dosing, and synergistic combinations with other anti-aging interventions. Curcumin holds promise as a safe and effective supplement for promoting healthy aging and extending healthspan.
  • Keywords: Curcumin, Aging, Longevity