title: Curcumin induces caspase mediated apoptosis in JURKAT cells by disrupting the redox balance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Curcumin has has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and anti-angiogenic activity in various types of cancer. It has also been shown to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells. We aimed to unravel the role of the redox pathway in Curcumin mediated apoptosis with a panel of human leukemic cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study in vitro cytotoxicity of Curcumin was measured by MTT assay and apoptotic effects were assessed by annexin V/PI, DAPI staining, cell cycle analysis, measurement of caspase activity and PARP cleavage. Effects of Curcumin on intracellular redox balance were assessed using fluorescent probes like H2DCFDA, JC1 and an ApoGSH Glutathione Detection Kit respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Curcumin showed differential anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on different human leukemic cell lines in contrast to minimal effects on normal cells. Curcumin induced apoptosis was associated with the generation of intracellular ROS, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular GSH depletion, caspase activation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As Curcumin induces programmed cell death specifically in leukemic cells it holds a great promise as a future therapeutic agent in the treatment of leukemia.
authors: Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Botany, Gurudas College, Kolkata, India E-mail : spaul_1971@yahoo.com.
authors: Priya Kalyan
authors: PK
authors: Gopal
authors: Mausumi
authors: M
authors: Paul
authors: Santanu
authors: S
authors: Paul
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D020014:K562 Cells; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; D020169:Caspases; D005978:Glutathione; D003474:Curcumin