OBJECTIVETo explore the inhibitory effect of curcumin on proliferation of CD34(+) acute myeloid leukemia cells and its mechamism.

METHODSKG1a and Kasumi-1cell lines were treated with curcumin of different concentrations (0, 40, 60, 80 µmol/L). The effect of curcumin on cell viability and proliferation was detected by trypan blue staining and cell count. The effect of curcumin on distribution of NF-κB P65 subunit was analyzed by immunofluorescence and Western blot.

RESULTSThe curcumin inhibited proliferation of KG1a and Kasumi-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting showed that curcumin led to significant down-regulation of NF-κB P65 nuclear protein expression. Immunofluorescence assay showed that treatment with 40 µmol/L of curcumin for 48h suppressed the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in KG1a and Kasumi-1 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe curcumin suppresses cell growth of KG1a and Kasumi-1 cells, its mechanism may be related to inhibitory effect of curcumin on NF-κB p65 nucleus protein.

Antigens, CD34 ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Curcumin ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; NF-kappa B ; Transcription Factor RelA