Effects of Curcumin on Apoptosis in SW480 Human Colon Cancer Cell Line.
- Author:
Ok Suk CHOI
1
;
Woo Kyoung KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Dankook University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
curcumin;
apoptosis;
caspase-3;
Bcl-2;
Bax;
Akt
- MeSH:
Apoptosis*;
Caspase 3;
Cell Line*;
Colon*;
Colonic Neoplasms*;
Curcuma;
Curcumin*;
Humans*;
Rhizome;
Signal Transduction
- From:The Korean Journal of Nutrition
2004;37(1):31-37
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Curcumin, a natural compound extracted from rhizomes of Curcuma longa, has been shown to possess potent antiinflammatory and anti-tumor activity. The mechanism by which curcumin initiates apoptosis remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of curcumin on caspase-3 activity and protein expression of procaspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, total Akt and phosphorylated Akt in SW480 human colon cancer cell. We cultured SW480 cells in the presence of various concentrations(0, 10, 20 or 30 uM) of curcumin. Curcumin inhibited colon cancer cell growth in a dosedependent manner (p < 0.05). Caspase-3 activity was significantly increased dose-dependently in cells treated with curcumin (p < 0.05), concisely procaspase-3 expression was significantly decreased. Bcl-2 levels were decreased dosedependently in cells treated with curcumin (p < 0.05), but Bax remained unchanged. In addition, phosphorylated Akt levels and total Akt levels were markedly lower in cells treated with 20 uM of curcumin treatment (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we have shown that curcumin inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in SW480 human colon cancer cell lines via Akt signal pathway.
