Curcumin suppresses migration and invasion of human endometrial carcinoma cells

Abstract

Abstract. Curcumin, a widely used Chinese herbal medicine, has historically been used in anti-cancer therapies. However, the anti-metastatic effect and molecular mechanism of curcumin in endometrial carcinoma (EC) are still poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to detect the anti-metastatic effects of curcumin and the associated mechanism(s) in EC. Based on assays carried out in EC cell lines, it was observed that curcumin inhibited EC cell migration and invasion in vitro. Furthermore, following treatment with curcumin for 24 h, there was a decrease in the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 as well as proteinase activity in EC cells. Moreover, curcumin treatment significantly decreased the levels of the phosphorylated form of extracellular signalregulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. MEK1 overexpression partially blocked the anti-metastatic effects of curcumin. Combined treatment with ERK inhibitor U0126 and curcumin resulted in a synergistic reduction in MMP-2/-9 expression; the invasive capabilities of HEC-1B cells were also inhibited. In conclusion, curcumin inhibits tumor cell migration and invasion by reducing the expression and activity of MMP-2/9 via the suppression of the ERK signaling pathway, suggesting that curcumin is a potential therapeutic agent for EC.

Liposomal Curcumin Targeting Endometrial Cancer Through the NF-κB Pathway

“…Based on regression fit analysis, the concentrations of LC that Once the concentrations went below these levels, the suppression of proliferation was slight. This result agrees with that of Chen et al [2], who demonstrated the inhibitory effect of LC on proliferation in EC cells. Thus, a concentration range of LC higher or lower than this was selected for the subsequent experiments.…”

“…On this basis, we selected Ishikawa (high ER expression) and HEC-1 (low ER expression) EC cell lines as target cells and investigated the inhibitory effects of LC on proliferation [2]., in that LC significantly inhibited the proliferation of both Ishikawa and HEC-1 cells, which indicated that LC completely retained the bioactive inhibitory effects of curcumin on cell proliferation in vitro.…”

“…Due to its remarkable nontoxic nature, curcumin, as a Chinese herbal medicine, is widely used and exhibits an extensive range of bioactivities, particularly chemopreventive and therapeutic properties against numerous tumors including bladder, cervical, lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers [7]. Recently, Chen et al reported the anti-metastatic effect of curcumin against EC cancer cells in vitro [2]. However, the clinical efficacy of curcumin is extremely limited because it has poor oral bioavailability [8], low water solubility, instability in gastrointestinal fluids and/or alkaline/higher pH conditions, and rapid systemic elimination [9].…”

“…In China, the incidence of EC has also increased over the past few decades, with the overall mortality rate of EC more than doubling during this period of time [2]. In large cities such as Beijing, EC has become the most common female reproductive system malignancy [3].…”

Triticumoside induces apoptosis via caspase-dependent mitochondrial pathway and inhibits migration through downregulation of MMP2/9 in human lung cancer cells

“…6B,C, triticumoside significantly inhibited MMP2/9 expression in a dosedependent manner, suggesting that triticumoside modulates the expression of MMPs to inhibit cancer cell metastasis. In order to confirm these results, we utilized curcumin as MMP2/9 inhibitor [13] and performed gene expression analysis after triticumoside treatment following preincubation with curcumin. Results indicated that pretreatment with curcumin strongly inhibits MMP2/9 expression in triticumoside-treated cells (Fig.…”