Curcumin induces apoptosis via simultaneously targeting AKT/mTOR and RAF/MEK/ERK survival signaling pathways in human leukemia THP-1 cells.
BACKGROUND
Curcumin is a multi-targeted anti-cancer agent. However, there are few studies on its anti-leukemia activity in human acute monocytic leukemia. Here, we study the effect and mechanisms of curcumin on acute monocytic leukemia.


METHODS
The acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 was used as in vitro cell model to explore the anti-leukemia effects and mechanisms of curcumin. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay, cell apoptosis bodies were observed using a light microscope, cell apoptosis rate was evaluated by flow cytometry, and the expression alterations of growth-sinaling proteins were detected by Western blotting.


RESULTS
Curcumin inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in time- and dose- dependent manner in THP-1 cells. Curcumin significantly inhibited the activations of AKT/mTOR and RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathways simultaneously.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that curcumin inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in THP-1 cells via inhibiting the activations of AKT/mTOR and RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathways simultaneously. Our data suggest that curcumin is a promising anti-tumor agent in acute monocytic leukemia.
Yong
Y
Guo
Qingqing
Q
Shan
Yuping
Y
Gong
Juan
J
Lin
Fangfang
F
Shi
Rui
R
Shi
Xi
X
Yang
D017304:Annexin A5; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D020930:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / Q000187:drug effects*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects*; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt / Q000187:drug effects*; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000187:drug effects*; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D048490:raf Kinases / Q000187:drug effects*
D017304:Annexin A5; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; C546842:MTOR protein, human; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; D048490:raf Kinases; D020930:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases; C022616:thiazolyl blue; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D003474:Curcumin