Effects of Curcumin on Caspase-3 and PARP Expression of Colorectal Carcinoma Cells

Abstract:

This study aimed to elucidate the biological basis for the treatment of colorectal cancer using curcumin，by investigating the effects of curcumin on apoptosis of LoVo and the expression of apoptosis-related protein Caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase(PARP). The human colorectal carcinoma cells LoVo was conventionally cultured in vitro by curcumin with different concentrations. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assays were performed to examine the inhibition of LoVo cell proliferation induced by curcumin. The effect of curcumin on LoVo cells colony formation was observed under an inverted microscope. The fluorescent dye Hoechst 33258 was used to detect the apoptotic cells. The enzyme activity of Caspase-3 was measured using a spectrophotometric method. The levels of Caspase-3 and PAPR expression before and after curcumin treatment were determined with Western blot analysis. The LoVo cells proliferation and the cell colony formation could be inhibited by curcumin. The cell proliferation and survival of LoVo were reduced and the expression of Caspase-3 was activated dependent on the treated concentration and duration. The apoptosis of LoVo cell was significantly induced and the expressions of Caspase-3 and PARP were increased by curcumin with a concentration above 20 μmol/L. The results suggested that curcumin could significantly inhibit LoVo cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. The molecular mechanism was associated with the regulation of Caspase-3 and PARP expression.