In an effort to find an alternative nontoxic means of inducing the apoptosis potential in both androgen-dependent and hormone refractory prostate cancer cells, attention was focused on curcumin (turmeric), traditionally used in medicine and cuisine in India and other south-east Asian countries. The results indicate that curcumin is a novel and potent inducer of apoptosis in both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. This was accomplished by down-regulating apoptosis suppressor proteins and other crucial proteins such as the androgen receptor. It is concluded that curcumin may provide an alternative, nontoxic modality by which the clinician may prevent the progression of prostate cancer to its hormone refractory state or to treat advanced prostate cancer by forcing them to undergo apoptosis. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2000) 3, 84-93