Specificity and potency of curcumin derivative 64PH in inhibiting HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the specificity and potency of curcumin derivative 64PH in inhibiting the proliferation of HepG2 human hepatoma cells in vitro. Methods: Various concentrations of 64PH were administrated to HepG2 hepatoma cells and HL7702 hepatic cells. The viability of cells was evaluated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. The concentration-inhibition rates in the two cell lines were calculated, and the accumulation normal distribution function was adopted to fit their rate curves. The differences of the rates between the two cells were observed on the 3rd day of 64PH treatment. The maximum difference and the 95% credibility interval of the corresponding 64PH concentration were evaluated. Results: 64PH inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 and HL7702 cells in vitro. To fit the concentration-effect curves on the 3rd day, the determination coefficients (γ2) were more than 0.99, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 3.07 and 4.28 μg/mL of 64PH, respectively, and their ratio was 1.39. To fit the normal distribution function of the differences of concentration-inhibition rates between HepG2 and HL7702 cells (s2 = 0.9861), the maximum difference of inhibition rates was 33.58%, and the corresponding concentration of 64PH and the 95% credibility interval were 2.65 and 3.52 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: In vitro, HepG2 cells are more sensitive than HL7702 cells due to the presence of 64PH. The inhibition of cell proliferation induced by 64PH is stronger in HepG2 than in HL7702 at concentrations between 2.65 and 3.52 μg/mL. 64PH has the potential to be a therapeutic approach in hepatocellular carcinoma and to achieve the desired efficacy and safety.