Curcumin inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis of laryngeal cancer cells through Bcl-2 and PI3K/Akt, and by upregulating miR-15a

Abstract

Abstract. Curcumin is a natural compound extracted from the dried rhizomes of Curcuma (curcuma root or zedoary) that exhibits extensive pharmacological effects and low toxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether curcumin inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis of laryngeal cancer through Bcl-2 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), and by upregulating microRNA-15a (miR-15a). It was demonstrated that curcumin inhibits cell proliferation, and promotes apoptosis and increased caspase-3 activity of human laryngeal cancer cells. Furthermore, curcumin decreased Bcl-2 and PI3K protein expression, and decreased the phospho (p)-Akt protein expression of human laryngeal cancer cells. Furthermore, curcumin activated miR-15a expression by human laryngeal cancer cells. Suppression of miR-15a expression reversed the anticancer effect of curcumin on cell proliferation of human laryngeal cancer cells and increased Bcl-2 and PI3K/Akt protein expression in AMC-HN-8 cells treated with 40 µM of curcumin. The results of the present study suggest that curcumin inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis of laryngeal cancer cells through Bcl-2 and PI3K/Akt, and by upregulating miR-15a.

Immunoregulatory, proliferative and anti-oxidant effects of nanocurcuminoids on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

“…In agreement with our results, a recent study has reported similar behavior of curcumin, in that high doses of curcumin (10 µM) resulted in the apoptosis of malignant cells and a low dose of curcumin (0.5 µM) elevated the proliferation rate, migration and phagocytosis of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) favorable for neural regeneration (Tello Velasquez et al, 2014[ 45 ]). Earlier studies have established that reduced cell viability in curcumin-treated tumor cells was accompanied by the repression of signaling proteins such as NF-ƙB and Notch-1, blocking downstream genes like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Bcl2 and matrix metalloproteinase (Marquardt et al, 2015[ 25 ]; Mou et al, 2017[ 30 ]; Pavan et al, 2016[ 34 ]). The same mechanisms may be involved in the apoptosis and proliferation of AT-MSCs after exposure to high concentrations of micelle-encapsulated curcumin.…”

Over-expression of MEOX2 promotes apoptosis through inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway in laryngeal cancer cells

“…PI3K/Akt signaling is regarded as a classic anti-apoptotic pathway [38] [39]. PI3K has three classes; I, II, and III.…”

Antifungal Compounds againstCandidaInfections from Traditional Chinese Medicine

“…Curcumin could increase ROS production and apoptosis in C. albicans cells, either alone or in synergy with antifungal drugs such as azoles and polyenes [ 78 , 79 ]. In mammalian cells, curcumin could protect mitochondria from damage and increase the biogenesis of mitochondria, although apoptosis-inducing effects of curcumin have also been reported in cancer cells [ 80 , 81 ]. Most importantly, this compound could be safe with a maximum tolerance dose of 12,000 mg/day in Phase I clinical trials [ 82 ], which present an advantage over other antifungal compounds.…”