Inhibition effect of curcumin on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Objective To investigate the effect of curcumin on proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) in culture and search for a new method to prevent the recurrence after pterygium surgery.Methods HUVEC was incubated with 0～160μmol/L curcumin for 24～96h.The MTT method was used to assay the biologic activities of curcumin in different time and different doses.The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)in each group was detected by immunohistochemistry method.The cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometic analysis.Results Administration of 20~80μmol/L curcumin for 24～72h could significantly inhibit HUVEC proliferation in a dose-and time-dependent manner(P0.05).After treated with curcumin at different concentrations of 20,40,80,160μmol/L for 24 h,there was significant sub-G1 peak using FCM.The number of HUVEC in G0/G1 phase increased while in S phase decreased(P0.05),makes it arrest in G0/G1 phase.Within 20～80μmol/L curcumin can inhibit the expression of PCNA in HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner(P0.05).Conclusion Curcumin significantly inhibits HUVEC proliferation,makes it arrest in G0/G1 phase and induces apoptosis of HUVEC,which effects are dose-and time-dependent.We have reason to conclude that curcumin have a possible therapeutic potential in pterygium patient by the anti-neovascularization effect.