Curcumin prevents ferroptosis and shields against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by modulating GPX4 H3K18ac via KLF2

Background Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) involves complex pathological mechanisms, including ferroptosis. Curcumin exhibits neuroprotective properties, but its role in modulating ferroptosis during CIRI remains incompletely understood. This research explored how curcumin protects against ferroptosis in CIRI and the molecular mechanisms involved.Methods In vivo, male MCAO rats were divided into Sham, MCAO, and curcumin low/medium/high-dose groups. Infarct volume, neurological deficit scores, and ferroptosis markers (MDA, Fe2+, GSH, GPX4, FTH1, TfR1) were detected. In vitro, OGD/R-stimulated BV2 cells were administered with curcumin or Ferrostatin-1. GPX4 knockdown, KLF2, and KAT2A overexpression or knockdown were performed. ChIP, CCK-8, and western blotting were applied to identify H3K18ac modification, cell viability, and protein expression, respectively.Results In MCAO rats, curcumin administration led to a reduction in infarct size, better neurological outcomes, and a decrease in ferroptosis. In vitro, curcumin inhibited OGD/R-stimulated ferroptosis and enhanced H3K18 acetylation at the GPX4 promoter. Mechanistically, curcumin upregulated the transcription factor KLF2, which transcriptionally activated the histone acetyltransferase KAT2A. KAT2A mediated H3K18ac modification at the GPX4 promoter, leading to GPX4 upregulation and ferroptosis suppression. KLF2 knockdown abolished the protective effects of curcumin.Conclusion Curcumin inhibited ferroptosis in CIRI by activating the KLF2/KAT2A/GPX4 signaling axis, highlighting a novel epigenetic mechanism and potential therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke.