Prooxidant activity of curcumin: copper-dependent formation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in DNA and induction of apoptotic cell death.

Curcumin, a well-known antioxidant in a principal ingredient of turmeric, acted as a prooxidant causing a copper-dependent DNA damage and the induction of apoptosis. Treatment of DNA from plasmid pBR322 and calf thymus with curcumin plus copper ion caused strand scission and the formation of 8-hydroxy-2(')-deoxyguanosine in DNA. Addition of catalase protected DNA from the curcumin-dependent injuries, indicating that hydroxyl radical may participate in the DNA damage.