Potential Therapeutic Efficacy of Curcumin in Liver Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: Liver cancer, one of the most common cancers in China, is reported to feature relatively highmorbidity and mortality. Curcumin (Cum) is considered as a drug possessing anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammationand anti-oxidation effect. Previous research has demonstrated antitumor effects in a series of cancers. Materialsand
Methods: In this study the in vitro cytotoxicity of Cum was measured by MTT assay and pro-apoptotic effectswere assessed by DAPI staining and measurement of caspase-3 activity. In vivo anti-hepatoma efficacy of Cumwas assessed with HepG2 xenografts.
Results: It is found that Cum dose-dependently inhibited cell growth inHepG2 cells with activation of apoptosis. Moreover, Cum delayed the growth of liver cancer in a dose-dependentmanner in nude mice.
Conclusions: Cum might be a promising phytomedicine in cancer therapy and furtherefforts are needed to explore this therapeutic strategy.

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