Curcuma longa L. Prevents the Loss of ß-Tubulin in the Brain and Maintains Healthy Aging in Drosophila melanogaster.

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. ß-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. ß-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 ß-tubulin and degeneration of physiological traits as well as improved ß-tubulin synthesis in the brain of D. melanogaster early to mid-age. The higher concentration (≥ 1%) of turmeric-supplemented diet decreased the ß-tubulin level and degenerated many of the physiological traits of D. melanogaster. The turmeric concentration-dependent increase and decrease of ß-tubulin level were consistent with the increment and decrement data obtained from the evaluated physiological traits. This correlation demonstrated that turmeric targets ß-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 ß-tubulin in the brain.

Assessment of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects of different extracts of Gynura procumbens leaf.

BACKGROUND: In Southeast Asia, Gynura procumbens has been utilized as a traditional medicinal herb for many diseases. The nontoxic effects of the leaves of G procumbens can be consumed safely for the treatment of many diseases, especially diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects of G procumbens leaves through different extracts. METHODS: Cold extraction was employed for G procumbens leaves. Disc diffusion, bovine serum albumin denaturation, brine shrimp lethality assays, and microscopic examination of tissues (ie, liver, kidney, and heart) were performed to measure antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities, and histopathologic analysis, respectively. RESULTS: The distinct concentrations of aqueous, ethanol, and n-hexane extracts showed prominent antibacterial activity against four pathogenic bacterial strains (Chromobacterium sp, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, and Escherichia coli 0157:H7:LT). The aqueous extract of G procumbens at a concentration of 200 µg/mL showed potential antibacterial activities against S aureus and E faecium, with mean (SD) zones of inhibition of 15 (1.0) mm and 10 (0.55) mm, respectively. At a concentration of 40 µg/mL, the aqueous extract of G procumbens exhibited significant (P < 0.01) anti-inflammatory activity compared with that of the other 2 extracts in the bovine serum albumin denaturation assay. The n-hexane extract showed moderate cytotoxic activity compared with that of vincristine sulfate. The median lethal concentration values of the aqueous, ethanol, and n-hexane extracts were 427.66, 218.56, and 114.51 µg/mL, respectively. The aqueous extract exhibited lower cytotoxicity than that exhibited by the ethanol and n-hexane extracts. The histopathologic analysis results showed that the aqueous extract of G procumbens had no harmful effects on the different organs of the experimental mice. CONCLUSIONS: The aqueous extract of G procumbens could be a potential source for treating various infectious and chronic diseases. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2021; 82:XXX-XXX).