Curcumin and Colorectal Cancer: From Basic to Clinical Evidences

Abstract

Curcumin diffuses through cell membranes into the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and nucleus, where it exerts actions, as an antioxidant property. Therefore, its use has been advocated for chemopreventive, antimetastatic, and anti-angiogenic purposes. We conducted a literature review to summarize studies investigating the relationship between curcumin and colorectal cancer (CRC). In vitro studies, performed on human colon cancer cell lines, showed that curcumin inhibited cellular growth through cycle arrest at the G2/M and G1 phases, as well as stimulated apoptosis by interacting with multiple molecular targets. In vivo studies have been performed in inflammatory and genetic CRC animal models with a chemopreventive effect. To improve curcumin bioavailability, it has been associated with small particles that increase its absorption when orally administered with excellent results on both inflammation and carcinogenesis. Curcumin has been used, moreover, as a component of dietetic formulations for CRC chemoprevention. These combinations showed in vitro and in vivo anticarcinogenetic properties in inflammation-related and genetic CRC. A synergic effect was suggested using an individual constituent dosage, which was lower than that experimentally used “in vivo” for single components. In conclusion, curcumin falls within the category of plant origin substances able to prevent CRC in animals. This property offers promising expectations in humans.

The Curcumin Analogue, MS13 (1,5-Bis(4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl)-1,4-pentadiene-3-one), Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Primary and Metastatic Human Colon Cancer Cells

“…Curcumin, a naturally occurring phenolic compound is widely reported to possess anti-cancer activities against many types of cancer [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ] and may synergically improve CRC chemo-drug efficacy [ 61 ]. However, due to its poor absorption and rapid metabolism, efforts were made to improve its chemical properties by complexing it with lipids or modification of its molecular structure [ 42 , 62 , 63 , 64 ]. In the present study, MS13, a curcumin analogue synthesized by modification of curcumin’s phenolic rings and β-diketone moiety was observed to inhibit SW480 and SW620 colon cancer cell growth.…”

Clinical effects of curcumin in enhancing cancer therapy: A systematic review

“…Due to the limited number of the human clinical studies, the corresponding results are somehow contradictory. On the other hand, there exist several unanswered questions about dosage, bioavailability, optimal signs, and potential toxicity which should be investigated in future studies using sufficiently large samples [86]. In addition, curcumin can induce autophagy, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest, in order to reduce the survival and proliferation of lung cancer cells.…”

Assessing the Current State of Lung Cancer Chemoprevention: A Comprehensive Overview

“…Curcumin was shown to have anticancer and chemopreventive potential in different types of cancers, as discussed in several reviews [112][113][114]. Its relative non-toxicity allowed to overcome any biovailability concers, resulting in over 200 clinical trials investigating the protective role of curcumin against cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, inflammatory and many other diseases [115].…”