The effects of turmeric (curcumin) on tumor suppressor protein (p53) and estrogen receptor (ERα) in breast cancer cells.
Curcumin (CUR) is a compound that has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. In this study, we have analyzed the effects of CUR on the expression of ERα and p53 in the presence of hormones and anti-hormones in breast cancer cells. Cells were cultured in a medium containing charcoal-stripped fetal bovine serum to deplete any endogenous steroids and treated with CUR at varying concentrations or in combination with hormones and anti-hormones. Protein analysis revealed a relative decrease in the levels of p53 and ERα upon treatment with 5-60 µM CUR. In cell proliferation studies, CUR alone caused a 10-fold decrease compared with the treatment with estrogen, which suggests its antiproliferative effects. Delineating the role of CUR in the regulation of p53, ERα, and their mechanisms of action may be important in understanding the influence of CUR on tumor suppressors and hormone receptors in breast cancer.
School of Health Sciences, Prevention Research Center, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA.
Kelly
K
Hallman
School of Health Sciences, Prevention Research Center, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA.
Katie
K
Aleck
School of Health Sciences, Prevention Research Center, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA.
Brigitte
B
Dwyer
School of Health Sciences, Prevention Research Center, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA.
Victoria
V
Lloyd
School of Health Sciences, Prevention Research Center, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA.
Meghan
M
Quigley
School of Health Sciences, Prevention Research Center, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA.
Nada
N
Sitto
School of Health Sciences, Prevention Research Center, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA.
Amy E
AE
Siebert
School of Health Sciences, Prevention Research Center, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA.
Sumi
S
Dinda
anti-estrogens; breast cancer; estrogen; female sex steroids; p53; tumor suppressors; turmeric