Electroanalytical study of the interaction between double stranded DNA and antitumor agent curcumin

Abstract

Curcumin, the major active component of the spice turmeric, which is considered to be a very useful compound in health matters, is recognized as a safe component with great potential for cancer chemoprevention and cancer therapy. For the first time, an interaction between the non-toxic agent curcumin and double stranded (ds) calf thymus DNA has been demonstrated by using voltammetry. The interaction of curcumin (CU) with dsDNA was studied using a carbon paste electrode (CPE) and a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). Significant changes in the characteristic peaks of dsDNA were observed after addition of curcumin to a solution containing dsDNA. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.