Analysis of the Tumoricidal and Anti-Cachectic Potential of Curcumin

作者：Oelkrug Christopher^*; Lange Christina Marie; Wenzel Elisabeth; Fricke Stephan; Hartke Martin; Simasi Jacinta; Schubert Andreas

来源：Anticancer Research, 2014, 34(9): 4781-4788.

• Curcumin
• cytotoxicity
• cachexia
• B16
• C2C12

Curcumin, the extract of the rhizome of Curcuma longa, is known for its health-promoting properties in traditional medicine. It has anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antioxidant properties and stimulates appetite. In the present study, we investigated the stability of curcumin and its effect on cytotoxicity, apoptosis and melanin content in melanoma cells and the effect on atrophic C2C12 muscle cells. Cytotoxicity of curcumin was dose-dependent and the EC50 for 24-h incubation was 69 mu M. Saturation was reached at 30 mu M for a 48-h incubation. The EC50 for 24-h incubation with degraded curcumin solution was 116 mu M and that for 48-h was 94 mu M. Curcumin induced a strong increase in caspase-3/7 activity at 30-40 mu M. Electrical impedance measurements showed that sub-toxic doses of curcumin counteracted atrophy in an in vitro model system. These findings indicate not only the positive effects of curcumin on melanoma cells in vitro, but also that curcumin was able to considerably trigger anti-cachectic effects in vitro. However, the importance of the stability of curcumin and its tumoricidal and anti-cachectic potential might play a pivotal role in its use in the nutrition and health industrie since it degrades rapidly in aqueous solutions.

• 出版日期2014-9