title: Effect of curcumin on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells.
abstract: This study was designed to investigate the effect of curcumin (diferuloylmethane) on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). The cell line HSC-T6 (1.25 x 10(5) cells/mL) was incubated with curcumin and HSC proliferation was detected by a methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium colorimetric assay. HSC apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, transmission electron microscope and agarose gel electrophoresis. HSC proliferation was significantly inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner (10.6 to 63.5%) after incubation with 20-100 microM curcumin, compared with a control group. At 20, 40, and 60 microM, after 24 h of incubation, curcumin was associated with a significant increase in the number of HSC in the G2/M phase, and a significant decrease in cell numbers in the S phase (P < 0.05). At these concentrations, curcumin was also associated with an increase in the apoptosis index of 15.3 +/- 1.9, 26.7 +/- 2.8, and 37.6 +/- 4.4%, respectively, compared to control (1.9 +/- 0.6%, P < 0.01). At 40 microM, the curcumin-induced apoptosis index at 12, 24, 36, and 48 h of incubation was 12.0 +/- 2.4, 26.7 +/- 3.5, 33.8 +/- 1.8, and 49.3 +/- 1.6%, respectively (P < 0.01). In conclusion, curcumin inhibits the in vitro proliferation of HSCs in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and also induces apoptosis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The in vivo effect of curcumin on HSCs requires further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China. shujc62@hotmail.com
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: L X
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003124:Colorimetry; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003474:Curcumin