Extensive research within the past half-century has indicated that curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a yellow pigment in curry powder, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-apoptotic activities. We investigated whether the anticancer activities assigned to curcumin are mediated through its pro-oxidant/antioxidant and preventive DNA damage mechanism. Twenty patient of oral leukoplakia and 50 normal healthy in age group 17-50 years were selected and measured the salivary and serum oxidative markers such as Malonaldehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, vitamin C and E just before the given the curcumin ,after curing of lesion. The value of serum and salivary Vitamin C &E showed statistically significant decrease in oral leukoplakia as compared to normal healthy while significantly increased in all groups after given curcumin. MDA and 8-OH dG levels showed statistically significant increase in oral leukoplakia as compared to normal healthy while decreased in all groups after given curcumin. Based on these results we conclude that curcumin mediates its anticancer activities through induced the production of Vitamin C&E, preventation of lipid perioxidation and anti DNA damage.

Key Words: Curcumin, Antioxidant, Precancerous lesions, Serum, salivary, Anticancer