c-Jun N-terminal kinase-dependent apoptotic photocytotoxicity of solvent exchange-prepared curcumin nanoparticles

Abstract

Indian spice curcumin is known for its anticancer properties, but the anticancer mechanisms of nanoparticulate curcumin have not been completely elucidated. We here investigated the in vitro anticancer effect of blue light (470 nm, 1 W)-irradiated curcumin nanoparticles prepared by tetrahydrofuran/water solvent exchange, using U251 glioma, B16 melanoma, and H460 lung cancer cells as targets. The size of curcumin nanocrystals was approximately 250 nm, while photoexcitation induced their oxidation and partial agglomeration. Although cell membrane in the absence of light was almost impermeable to curcumin nanoparticles, photoexcitation stimulated their internalization. While irradiation with blue light (1-8 min) or nanocurcumin (1.25-10 μg/ml) alone was only marginally toxic to tumor cells, photoexcited nanocurcumin displayed a significant cytotoxicity depending both on the irradiation time and nanocurcumin concentration. Photoexcited nanocurcumin induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), mitochondrial depolarization, caspase-3 activation, and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, indicating apoptotic cell death. Accordingly, pharmacologial inhibition of JNK and caspase activity rescued cancer cells from photoexcited nanocurcumin. On the other hand, antioxidant treatment did not reduce photocytotoxicity of nanocurcumin, arguing against the involvement of oxidative stress. By demonstrating the ability of photoexcited nanocurcumin to induce oxidative-stress independent, JNK- and caspase-dependent apoptosis, our results support its further investigation in cancer therapy.

Structural, mechanical, and antibacterial features of curcumin/polyurethane nanocomposites

“…Numerous reports showed its anticancer effects or antibacterial activity . In our previous research, we established that curcumin nanoparticles produced by solvent exchange method are phototoxic upon blue light irradiation (λ = 470 nm) toward three cell lines (U251 glioma, B16 melanoma, and H460 lung cancer cells) . The phototoxicity of curcumin nanoparticles depended on irradiation time and curcumin concentration.…”

Ambient light induced antibacterial action of curcumin/graphene nanomesh hybrids

“…19 It shows a remarkable range of pharmacological activity, including antioxidant, anti-inammatory and anticancer activity as well antibacterial. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] Paunović et al found that photoexcited nanocurcumin displayed a signicant cytotoxicity depending both on the irradiation time and nanocurcumin concentration. 26 In the absence of blue light irradiation nanocurcumin displayed very small cytotoxicity.…”

Versatile role of curcumin and its derivatives in lung cancer therapy

“…High levels of ROS are toxic for cell membrane, protein, and genetic material (Fakhri, Abbaszadeh, Dargahi, & Jorjani, 2018). Induction of oxidative stress via elevating ROS generation is advantageous in cancer therapy (Pelicano, Carney, & Huang, 2004). This is due to the efficacy of ROS in the stimulation of mitochondrial-and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mediated apoptosis (Prag, Kula-Alwar et al, 2020;.…”