Rapid reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation induced by curcumin leads to caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis in L929 cells

Evidence that curcumin may have anticancer activities has renewed interest in its potential to prevent and treat disease. In this study. we show that curcumin-mediated rapid generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to apoptosis by modulating different apoptotic pathways ill mouse fibroblast L929 cells. We show for the first time that curcumin-induced rapid ROS generation Causes the release of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) from the mitochondria to the cytosol and nucleus, hence, leading to caspase 3-independent apoptosis. However, Our Studies also show that curcumin induces the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, causing activation of caspase 3. and concomitant PARP cleavage, which is the hallmark of caspase-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, curcumin-induced ROS generation leads to the induction of the proapoptotic protein p53 and its effector protein p21 and down-regulation of cell cycle regulatory proteins such as Rb and cyclin D1 and D3. Both glutathione (GSH) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) pretreatment resulted in the complete inhibition Of curcumin-induced ROS generation, Air release from mitochondria, and caspase activation. Additionally, pretreatment of L929 cells with these antioxidants completely blocked the induction of p53-dependent p21 accumulation. In conclusion, our data show that in addition to caspase 3 activation, curcumin-induced rapid ROS generation leads to AIF release, and the activation of the caspase-independent apoptotic pathway. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.