title: Curcumin inhibits nitrite-induced methemoglobin formation.
abstract: Curcumin protects hemoglobin from nitrite-induced oxidation to methemoglobin. The protection is not observed when curcumin is added after the autocatalytic stage of the oxidation of hemoglobin by nitrite. The ability of curcumin to scavenge superoxide may be responsible since superoxide is implicated in promoting the autocatalytic stage of oxidation of hemoglobin by nitrite.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Unnikrishnan
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008706:Methemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D009573:Nitrites; D013481:Superoxides; D008706:Methemoglobin; D003474:Curcumin