Influnce of curcumin on the apoptosis and cell cycle distribution of HepG2 cells

Objective Curcumin,a dietary natural poly-phenol agent,attracts extensive attention due to its anti tumor property.This experiment was designed to study the apoptosis and cell cycle distribution changes of HepG2 cells when treated with curcumin.Methods The morphologic alteration of HepG2 cells after treatment of curcumin was observed under invert microscope.Apoptosis rate and cell cycle distribution were detected by flow cytometry.Results When treated with curcumin for 24h or longer time,HepG2 cells turned to circle,fell down from wall,and proliferated slowly.According to flow cytometry,curcumin induced HepG2 cells apoptosis at a time and dose-dependent manner.Cell apoptosis percentage was gradually increased along with time extension and curcumin concentration rising.The apoptosis rate at 10μmol/L for 24、48、72h is about 13.6%、22.9%、41.1% respectively.It shows obvious statsitical difference against normal HepG2 cells.After treatment with curcumin,HepG2 cells were observed to arrest at G2/M phase(P0.05).Conclusion Curcumin can inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells.It also can induce apoptosis and block cell cycle in G2/M phase.Curcumin deserve our future study for it's intensive anti-tumor activity.