Antiproliferative effect of curcumin on human breast cancer of MCF-7 cells

Objective To investigate the effect of curcumin on the proliferation,cell cycle distribution and gene expression of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.Methods MCF-7 cells were treated with 10,20,40,80 μmol/L curcumin for 24,48 or 72 h.MTT was used to assay the biologic activities of curcumin and its antiproliferative effect.FCM was used to detect cell cycle distribution and apoptosis.The expression levels of bcl-2,bax,PCNA mRNA were analyzed by RT-PCR.Results The curcumin IC_(50)value for MCF-7 cells was(18.5 μmol/L.) The inhibitory effect of curcumin on cell growth was in a time-and dose-dependent manner.MCF-7 cells treated with 20 μmol/L or(40 μmol/L) curcumin for 24 h were arrested in G_0/G_1 phase and induced apoptosis.The expression levels of bcl-2,PCNA mRNA were decreased in MCF-7 cells by 10,20 and 40 μmol/L curcumin treatment for 24 h,and bax mRNA was increased.Conclusion Curcumin is of inhibitory effect on MCF-7 cell growth,and it can arrest MCF-7 cells in G_0/G_1 phase,inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis.Curcumin down-regulates bcl-2,PCNA mRNA expression in MCF-7 cells,but upregulates bax mRNA expression.