Inhibition of Growth and Induction of Apoptosis of Human Laryngeal Cancer Hep-2 Cells by Curcumin

Objective To investigate the inhibition of growth and induction of apoptosis of human laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells by curcumin. Methods Hep-2 cells were cultured in media containing curcumin at various concentrations (3, 6, 12. 5 and 25 μmol / L)for 24 and 48 h separately. The effects on cell proliferation was determined by MTT method, on cell viability by trypan blue staining, on distribution of cell cycle and cell apoptosis by flow cytometry, and on cell DNA by DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. Results Curcumin inhibited the proliferation of Hep-2 cells significantly in a time-and dose-dependent manner, decreased the cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, arrested the cells at G2 / M phase and induced obvious apoptosis peaks as well as apoptosis rate in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Typical DNA-Ladder was formed in the cell DNA treated with curcumin. Conclusion Curcumin significantly inhibited the proliferation and viability, and induced the apoptosis of Hep-2 cells.