Curcumin and nanocurcumin effects on weight, negative geotaxis, total protein, protein profiling by SDS-PAGE, and lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster

Curcumin, a polyphenol extracted from turmeric rhizomes, has shown promising effects in several biological systems, including model organisms. This study investigated the effects of curcumin and nanocurcumin on weight, negative geotaxis, total protein, protein profiling via sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE), and lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. Curcumin and nanocurcumin were individually added to the Drosophila melanogaster medium atconcentrations of 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 mg/g of media, alongside a control group, with three replicates for each concentration. ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test were performed for statistical analysis. The study revealed that curcumin and nanocurcumin had statistically significant effects on multiple parameters, with nanocurcumin showing a greater impact than curcumin and the control group, suggesting that the nano form has higher biological effectiveness and better cellular interaction. As evidenced by an extended Drosophila melanogaster lifespan (P < 0.001) and increased weight (P < 0.01), negative geotaxis (P< 0.01), and total protein (P < 0.002), an increase in negative geotaxis indicates improved neuromuscular coordination, while increases in weight, total protein, and lifespan may reflect better metabolic activity or nutrient absorption. In addition, curcumin and nanocurcumin significantly altered the SDS-PAGE protein profile, suggesting a potential impact on protein expression that may be linked to gene regulation. These findings demonstrate that curcumin and nanocurcumin have a pronounced impact on physiological and biochemical parameters, with nanocurcumin exerting a stronger effect, making them promising options for biological applications.