title: Specific inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression by dietary curcumin in HT-29 human colon cancer cells.
abstract: Curcumin, a major yellow pigment and active component of turmeric, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 plays an important role in colon carcinogenesis. To investigate the effect of curcumin on COX-2 expression, we treated HT-29 human colon cancer cells with various concentrations of curcumin. Curcumin inhibited the cell growth of HT-29 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Curcumin markedly inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of COX-2, but not COX-1. These data suggest that a non-toxic concentration of curcumin has a significant effect on the in vitro growth of HT-29 cells, specifically inhibits COX-2 expression, and may have value as a safe chemopreventive agent for colon cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, The University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0688, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goel
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Boland
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Chauhan
mesh_terms: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004032:Diet; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D003474:Curcumin