Formaldehyde is a common environmental contaminant that causes oxidative DNA damage in cells by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to investigate the amount of 8‐hydroxy‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OhdG), tumor protein 53(TP53), beta‐amyloid[Aß(1‐42), Aß (1‐40)], total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the therapeutic role of curcumin in rat cells with oxidative DNA damage caused by formaldehyde. Method: The control group was given physiological saline for 15 days (ip) and the second group was given 37% formaldehyde (ip) at a dose of 9 mg/kg group every other day. The third group was given 9 mg/kg formaldehyde (ip) every other day and treated therapeutically with 100 mg/kg curcumin every day by gavage. At the end of the trial period, urine, blood, and brain tissue was collected from the rats. Results: The levels of MDA in sera were increased and the TAC, TP53, and Aß (1−40) levels were reduced in the formaldehyde‐treated group with respect to the control group (p<0.005). After treatment with curcumin, the levels of sera MDA were significantly reduced, the TAC, TP53, and Aß (1‐40) levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The levels of whole brain Aß (1‐42) and 8‐OhdG were increased in the formaldehyde‐treated group and reduced after treatment with curcumin (P < 0.05). Urinary 8‐OhdG excretion increased in the formaldehyde‐treated group (P < 0.05) and decreased after treatment with curcumin (P > 0.05).

In conclusion, the oxidative stress caused by formaldehyde exposure was reduced with the application of curcumin. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:391–395, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.