Effect of curcumin on the genotoxicity induced by alkylating agents

DNA damage due to genotoxic stress is an important type of stress which organisms are exposed during the their life. The direct-acting alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), is covalently linked to DNA and cause DNA damage, creating an indirect effect of the alkylating agent cyclophosphamide (CP) cause to DNA damage by changing the function of cellular proteins. In this study, the effects of curcumin on MMS and SP treated mice DNA damage, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant capacity (oxidative stress index) and genotoxicity markers such as micronucleus index, cell growth arrest and induced DNA damage, which is Gadd45 and Gadd153 genes expression levels were investigated. Curcumin reduce DNA damage, the number of micronucleus and oxidative stres occurred by both MMS and SP induction. Curcumin's protective effect on DNA damage was provided by inducing Gadd45 and Gadd153 mRNA expression levels. We could state that curcumin, a phenolic compound show protective effects before the damage. In brief, curcumin has both antioxidant and antigenotoxic effects.