Potential Therapeutic Efficacy of Curcumin in Liver Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: Liver cancer, one of the most common cancers in China, is reported to feature relatively high morbidity and mortality. Curcumin (Cum) is considered as a drug possessing anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation effect. Previous research has demonstrated antitumor effects in a series of cancers. Materials and Methods: In this study the in vitro cytotoxicity of Cum was measured by MTT assay and pro-apoptotic effects were assessed by DAPI staining and measurement of caspase-3 activity. In vivo anti-hepatoma efficacy of Cum was assessed with HepG2 xenografts. Results: It is found that Cum dose-dependently inhibited cell growth in HepG2 cells with activation of apoptosis. Moreover, Cum delayed the growth of liver cancer in a dose-dependent manner in nude mice. Conclusions: Cum might be a promising phytomedicine in cancer therapy and further efforts are needed to explore this therapeutic strategy.

Anti-Proliferation Effects and Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Tetramethypyrazine on Human SGC-7901 Gastric Carcinoma Cells

“…Data are presented as means ± standard deviation (SD). We have enough experience in conducting medical researches, and have published some results elsewhere Dai et al, 2013;Deng et al, 2013;Gu et al, 2013;Fei et al, 2013;Shen et al, 2013;Sun et al, 2013;Wei et al, 2013;Yan et al, 2013;Gong et al, 2014;Zhang et al, 2014).…”

CXCL12-CXCR4 Promotes Proliferation and Invasion of Pancreatic Cancer Cells

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Preventive Effect of Hydrazinocurcumin on Carcinogenesis of Diethylnitrosamine-induced Hepatocarcinoma in Male SD Rats

“…Curcumin (CUR), the active component of turmeric has potent anti-tumor effects to hepatocarcinoma in clinical trials (Dai et al, 2013) and several other cancers, such as colon cancer (Lee et al, 2009) and breast cancer (Mehta et al, 1997). Although CUR is remarkably non-toxic and has promising anti-cancer activities, preclinical and clinical studies indicated that its poor bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profiles due to its instability under physiological conditions had limited its application in anti-cancer therapies (Anand et al, 2007;Appiah-Opong et al, 2008).…”