Growth-inhibitory effects of curcumin on Raji cells and its mechanisms

Objective: To study the growth-inhibitory effects of curcumin on B-NHL cell line Raji cells in vitro and its molecular mechanisms. Methods: The growth inhibition rates of Raji cells, after being treated with 6.25 µmol/L ∼ 50 µmol/L curcumin for 12 h ∼ 48 h, were examined by MTT assay. The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry (FCM), the protein expression levels of bcl-2 and p53 in Raji cells were examined by SP immunohistochemistry. The expression of p53 in Raji cell were checked by RT-PCR. Results: After being treated by various concentrations of curcumin, the growth of Raji cells was inhibited significantly. The rates of apoptosis were 11.8%∼79.7% (P<0.01), the down regulation of p53 expression was observed within 24 h after the treatment of curcumin by RT-PCR. The expression of bcl-2 and p53 was decreased, which depended on the action time. Conclusion: Curcumin could significantly inhibit the growth of Raji cells. The induction of apoptosis by down-regulating the expression of bcl-2 and p53 was probably one of its molecular mechanisms.