Curcumin Induces Transgenerational and Sex-Specific Effects on Lifespan, Gene Expression, and Metabolism in the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Curcumin is a bioactive compound found in turmeric (Curcuma longa) and is widely recognized for its health-promoting effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic properties. It can also mediate epigenetic effects by inhibiting histone acetylases (HATs) and deacetylases (HDACs) but the transgenerational context has not been studied in detail. Here, we used the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) as a model organism to determine the epigenetic effects of 0.1% and 1% (w/v) curcumin, which have been shown to promote the health and prolong the lifespan of fruit flies. Both concentrations were found to significantly increase lifespan and climbing activity in male and female flies, but changes in HAT/HDAC gene expression and metabolism were sex-specific. Unexpectedly, the F1 offspring of curcumin-treated parental flies showed a significant reduction in lifespan that was also sex-specific, as well as sex-specific and dose-dependent transgenerational changes in HAT/HDAC gene expression and metabolism. These results show that curcumin's beneficial effects in the parental generation are followed by deleterious effects in the offspring, highlighting the need to further investigate the potential transgenerational effects of nutrients and bioactive compounds that are used as dietary supplements for humans.