title: Curcumin induces the apoptosis of human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells via the activation of JNK/ERK pathways.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Curcumin is a principal compound of turmeric, commonly used to treat tumors and other diseases. However, its anti-cancer activity in human acute monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells is not clear. This study aimed to study the anti-cancer effect and action of curcumin on THP-1 cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  THP-1 parental cells and PMA-treated THP-1 cells, were used as in vitro models to evaluate the anti-cancer effect and mechanism of curcumin. Apoptosis and its mechanism were evaluated by WST-1, flow cytometry and Western blotting. MAPK inhibitors were used to further confirm the molecular mechanism of curcumin-induced THP-1 cell apoptosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Curcumin induced cell apoptosis of THP-1 cells as shown by cell viability, cell cycle analysis and caspase activity. Curcumin significantly increased the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and their downstream molecules (c-Jun and Jun B). Inhibitor of JNK and ERK reduced the pro-apoptotic effect of curcumin on THP-1 cells as evidenced by caspase activity and the activation of ERK/JNK/Jun cascades. On the contrary, the pro-apoptotic effect of curcumin was abolished in the differentiated THP-1 cells mediated by PMA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that curcumin can induce the THP-1 cell apoptosis through the activation of JNK/ERK/AP1 pathways. Besides, our data suggest its novel use as an anti-tumor agent in acute monocytic leukemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Soochow University, Shih-Lin, Taipei 111, Taiwan, ROC. ycw6861@scu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Chu-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chi-Lun
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hsin-Chen
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chin-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Jia-Ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Wen-Chin
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D007948:Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / Q000378:metabolism; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020169:Caspases; D003474:Curcumin