Curcumin inhibits the proliferation of a human colorectal cancer cell line Caco-2 partially by both apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest

Abstract

<p>The aim of this study was to assess the possible roles of the phytochemical compounds, curcumin, quercetin and resveratrol in the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cell line Caco-2. All three phytochemical compounds inhibited Caco-2 cell proliferation, with curcumin being more effective than quercetin and resveratrol. Investigations concerning DNA fragmentation in the nucleus, Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA expression levels, and caspase-3/7 activity indicated that curcumin induced apoptosis in Caco-2 cells through an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and activation of caspase-3/7. Furthermore, the analysis of flow-cytometry showed that curcumin caused an arrest of G2/M phase in Caco-2 cells. These results suggest that curcumin suppresses Caco-2 proliferation partially via activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and cell cycle retardation.</p>