Curcumin enhances the mitomycin C-induced cytotoxicity via downregulation of MKK1/2-ERK1/2-mediated Rad51 expression in non-small cell lung cancer cells

► Curcumin downregulates MKK-ERK-mediated Rad51 expression. ► Curcumin enhances mitomycin C-induced cytotoxicity. ► Rad51 protects cells from cytotoxic effects induced by curcumin and mitomycin C. ► Rad51 inhibition enhances the chemosensitization of mitomycin C by curcumin.