[Curcumin inhibits the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3 in vitro].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of curcumin on the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3, and to explore its anticarcinogenic mechanism.


METHODS
PC-3 cells were treated with curcumin at the concentration of 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 micromol/L respectively. Then the cell activity was assayed by dyed rate of Typan blue and MTT at 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 hours, the cell cycle and morphological changes observed by flow cytometry (FCM) and electronic microscopy at 24 hours, the VEGF mRNA expression measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and the secreting protein levels of VEGF in the supernatants determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
The growth of PC-3 cells was suppressed obviously by curcumin in a dose- and time-dependent manner in vitro. There were significant differences in inhibition rate among different concentration and time groups (P < 0.01). Furthermore, curcumin arrested the cell cycle of PC-3 cells in the G2/M phase in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). The percentages of apoptotic cells were significantly higher in different concentration groups than in the controls (P < 0.01). Apoptosis-associated morphological changes were observed in PC-3 cells at 24 hours, and a marked decline in the expression of VEGF was noted after the exposure to different concentrations of curcumin within 24 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
Curcumin can suppress the growth of PC-3 cells, promote their apoptosis and arrest their cell cycle in the G2/M phase, and reduce the expression of VEGF mRNA and proteins, which may sever to explain its inhibitory effect on tumor and angiogenesis.
Deng
Gang
G
Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan , Hubei 430030, China. dfg326@sohu.com
Yu
Jian-Hua
JH
Ye
Zhang-Qun
ZQ
Hu
Zhi-Quan
ZQ
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D003474:Curcumin