The effect of curcumin through suppression of IκBα phosphorylation on inhibition of proliferation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

Objective To detect whether curcumin inhibits NF-κB signaling pathway through suppression IκBα phosphorylation and evaluate the effects on proliferation and cell cycle in EC9706 and Eca109 cell lines.MethodsESCC cells were treated with different concentrations of curcumin and viable cells were determined by MTT.Cytoplasmic extracts or whole cell extracts were examined for the expression of pIκBα and cyclin D1.ESCC cells were treated with curcumin,5-FU or combinations thereof for 72 h.Results Curcumin inhibited ESCC cells growth in a concentration-dependent manner.Curcumin inhibited IκBα phosphorylation and downregulated the expression of cyclin D1 in the two ESCC cell lines in a time-dependent manner.Cyclin D1 was declined in the forepart of curcumin-treated cells.Curcumin-treated cells increased in the G0/G1 phase and decreased in S phase.ConclusionCurcumin inhibits the phosphorylation of IκBα and downregulates the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway,leading to the suppression of proliferation in ESCC cell.