Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of androgen independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3 induced by curcumin in vitro

Objective To study the growth inhibition effects of curcumin on androgen independent prostate cancer cell line PC3. Methods After being treated with 10-100 μmol curcumin for 5-24 h,the growth activities of cancer cells were studied by MTT colorimetry.Cell cycle phases and the apoptosis were inspected by flow cytometery (FCM).The morphological changes of cancer cells were observed under electronic microscopy.The levels of IκBα were tested by Western Blotting. Results Curcumin could effectively inhibit the growth of androgen independent prostate cancer cell line PC3 in time-dependent and dose- dependent manners in vitro (P 0.05).Cell cycles were arrested at G_2/M phase.The ratio of apoptosis was (6.33± 0.88)%, (7.53± 2.32)%, (12.74± 3.02)%, (18.09± 2.51)% and (27.54± 2.63)% (P 0.05) respectively.Curcumin could increase the levels of IκBα in cell line PC3 in a dose-dependent manner (P 0.05). Conclusion Curcumin could significantly inhibit the growth of androgen independent prostate cancer cells through blocking cellular proliferation and inducing apoptosis.