Glutathione regulates caspase-dependent ceramide production and curcumin-induced apoptosis in human leukemic cells

► Intracellular glutathione (GSH) depletion is the prime hallmark of the progression of apoptosis. ► Curcumin suppresses human leukemic cell growth via reactive oxygen species-independent GSH depletion. ► Curcumin downregulates inhibitor of apoptosis proteins in human leukemic cells. ► Curcumin inhibits sphingomyelin synthase activity in human leukemic cells. ► GSH regulates caspase-dependent Cer generation and apoptosis induced by curcumin.