title: Toxic effects induced by curcumin in human astrocytoma cell lines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to describe the toxicity induced by curcumin in human astrocytoma cell lines.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects induced by curcumin, at 100 µM for 24 h, were evaluated in four astrocytoma cell lines using crystal violet assay and through the evaluation of morphological and ultrastructural changes by electron microscopy. Also, the results of vital staining with acridine orange and propidium iodide for acidic vesicles and apoptotic bodies were analyzed and the expression of the Beclin1 gene was assessed by RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cells treated with curcumin at 100 µM induced an inhibitory concentration50 of viability with morphological changes characterized by a progressive increase in large, non-acidic vesicles devoid of cytoplasmic components and organelles, but that conserved the cell nuclei. No DNA breakage was observed. The astrocytoma cells showed no apoptosis, necrosis or autophagy. Expression of BECLIN1 was not induced (p < 0.05) by curcumin in the astrocytoma cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Curcumin at 100 µm induced a new type of death cell in astrocytoma cell lines.
authors.affiliation: Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Colonia Casco de Santo Tomas, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo , México D.F. , México .
authors.forename: Mirna A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Romero-Hernández
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eguía-Aguilar
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perézpeña-DiazConti
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Leviz
authors.forename: Stanislaw
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sadowinski-Pine
authors.forename: Luis A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Velasco-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Julio Roberto
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Cáceres-Cortés
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arenas-Huertero
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000071186:Beclin-1; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003474:Curcumin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D015394:Molecular Structure
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C491997:BECN1 protein, human; D000071186:Beclin-1; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D003474:Curcumin