Abstract: Objective To explore the antagonistic effect of curcumin on formaldehyde-induced oxidative damage in cells.Methods A549 cells were used as experiental material and divided into normal control group,formaldehyde exposure group(0.1 mmol/L),and curcumin-antagonized formaldehyde group.Nitric oxide synthase (NOS),malondialdehyde (MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) levels were detected.Results For formaldehyde exposure group,SOD,NOS,and GSH-Px activity in A549 cells were 21.79±1.13,1.88±0.16,and 27.83±0.2 U/mgprot,respectively,and significantly decreased(P< 0.05) compared to those of the control group.Compared with that of the control group,MDA increased significantly (P< 0.05).Compared with the formaldehyde exposure group,GSH-Px activity increased(P< 0.05),MDA content decreased in curcumine group(P< 0.05).Compared with those of the control group,GSH-Px activity and MDA content show ed no significant difference in 40 mg/L curcumine group (P > 0.05).Conclusion Curcumin can enhance antioxidant enzyme activity in A549 cells in a dose-effect relationship.