Protection of radiation-induced protein damage by curcumin

Free radical reactions of lysozyme (Lz), tryptophan and disulfides were stu died with curcumin, a lipid-soluble antioxidant from turmeric, in aqueous s olution using a pulse radiolysis technique. The binding of curcumin with ly sozyme was confirmed using absorption, fluorescence and stopped-flow techni ques. The free radicals of curcumin generated after repairing radicals of d isulfides, lysozyme and tryptophan absorb at 500-510 nm. Implication of thi s in evaluating the antioxidant behavior of curcumin in protecting proteins is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.