Safe compounds that can stop the growth of tumor cells are possible treatments for cancer. Curcumin is the most active part of the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa). It has activity against cancer in animals. In test tube experiments it suppressed steps of gene expression. These were c-jun/Ap-1 and NF-kappaB activation and type 1 human immunodeficiency virus long-terminal repeat-directed gene expression. These scientists measured the effects of curcumin on the growth of several breast tumor cell lines. These included hormone-dependent and -independent and multidrug-resistant lines. Cell growth was measures by [3H]thymidine incorporation, Trypan blue exclusion, crystal violet dye uptake and flow cytometry. Curcumin inhibited the growth of all the cell lines tested. The effect of curcumin was greater when it was used for longer times and in greater amounts. Curcumin preferentially arrested cells in the G2/S phase of the cell cycle. These are the parts of the cycle when DNA is replicated and the cell is prepared for division. Curcumin-induced cell death was neither due to apoptosis nor to any significant change in the expression of apoptosis-related genes. Apoptosis is a type of programmed, deliberate cell death in which the cell corpses and fragments are safely disposed. Overall these results suggest that curcumin strongly reduces the growth (proliferation) of breast tumor cells and may be a possible anticancer drug.
Antiproliferative effect of curcumin (diferuloylme…[Anticancer Drugs. 1997]