Anticancer Activity of Curcumin on Human Breast Adenocarcinoma: Role of Mcl-1 Gene

Abstract

Background:Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among females in the world. To date, chemotherapy has been the most frequently used treatment for breast cancer and other cancers. However, some natural products have been used, as alternative treatments for cancers including breast cancer, due to their wide range of biological activities and low toxicity in animal models.Objectives:The present study examined the anti-proliferative activity of curcumin and its effect(s) on the apoptosis of breast cancer cells.Materials and Methods:This study was performed by an in vitro assay and the anticancer effects of curcumin were determined by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide). We used quantitative real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for detection of Mcl-1 gene expression in treated groups and then compared them to control samples.Results:In the treatment group, there were higher levels of cell death changes than the control group. The results also showed that the Mcl-1 gene expression declined in the tested group as compared to the control group.Conclusions:Our present findings indicated that curcumin significantly inhibited the growth of human breast cancer cell MCF-7 by inducing apoptosis in a dose- and time- dependent manner, accompanied by a decrease in MCF-7 cell viability. Furthermore, our results showed that quantitative real-time PCR could be used as a direct method for detection Mcl-1 gene expression in tested samples and normal samples.

Effect of Curcumin on SMCT-1 Expression and Dichloroacetate Toxicity in HCT116 Colon Cancer Cells

“…This was not an unexpected result since curcumin has been shown to regulate proliferation of other cell types, including neural cells, 44 Schwann cells, 45 astrocytes, 46 whereas high concentrations are often toxic to various cancer cells and cell lines. [47][48][49] This protective effect of Cur was probably due to anti-oxidative effect 50 and transient activation of ERK and p38 kinase pathways at low concentrations. 51 However, higher concentration of Cur exhibits antiproliferative effect by controlling many signaling molecules such as p53, NF-κB, Akt, MAPK.…”

The Inhibitory Effect of Curcumin on Ornithine Decarboxylase against Hepatic Carcinoma

“…The present study investigated the apoptotic effect of curcumin on HepG2 cells by studying the effect of curcumin on the expression of the genes of the apoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3 and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Bax promotes cell apoptosis while Bcl-2 prevents apoptosis by blocking the translocation of cytochrome c [38] the decrease of Bcl-2/Bax ratio is followed by the activation of caspase-3, the release of cytochrome c. [39]. The data showed a significant upregulation expression level of both Bax and Caspase-3 genes in HepG2 cells after administration of curcumin, while the results showed upregulation expression level of the Bcl2 gene in HepG2 cells of control groups which were downregulated after administration of curcumin, thereby decreasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio.…”

Targeting cancer stem cells and signaling pathways by phytochemicals: Novel approach for breast cancer therapy

“…Curcumin is one of the most extensively studied phytochemicals for various biological activities such as antioxidant [94], anti-inflammatory [88], anticancer [89], and antidiabetic [90] properties. Curcumin is also shown anticancer activities against a wide range of cancers, including pancreatic [95], colon [96], breast [97], prostate [98], and bladder [99] cancers. Curcumin is known to target multiple signaling pathways and multiple genes that are involved in cancer growth, survival, and metastasis.…”