Antitumor activity of curcumin is mediated through the induction of apoptosis in AK-5 tumor cells

Curcumin, the yellow pigment of turmeric (Curcuma longa), used commonly as a spice, has been shown to possess anticarcinogenic activity. Curcumin inhi bited AK-5 tumor growth and induced apoptosis in AK-5 cells. Curcumin induc ed apoptosis is mediated through the activation of caspase-3, which is spec ifically inhibited by the tetrapeptide Ac-DEVD-CHO, In addition, curcumin i nduced tumor cell death is caused through the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates which is inhibited by N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Our studies sugge st that the apoptotic process induced by curcumin is the mechanism mediatin g AK-5 tumor cell death. (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societ ies.