Herrero de la Parte B, Rodeño-Casado M, Iturrizaga Correcher S, Mar Medina C, García-Alonso I. Curcumin Reduces Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation and Migration and Slows In Vivo Growth of Liver Metastases in Rats.
Biomedicines 2021;
9:biomedicines9091183. [PMID:
34572369 PMCID:
PMC8467247 DOI:
10.3390/biomedicines9091183]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: New therapeutic approaches are an essential need for patients suffering from colorectal cancer liver metastases. Curcumin, a well-known plant-derived polyphenol, has been shown to play a role in the modulation of multiple signaling pathways involved in the development and progression of certain cancer cells in vitro. This study aims to assess the anti-tumor effect of curcumin on CC531 colorectal cancer cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: On CC531 cultures, the cell viability and cell migration capacity were analyzed (wound healing test) 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment with curcumin (15, 20, 25, or 30 µM). Additionally, in WAG/RijHsd tumor-bearing rats, the total and individual liver lobe tumor volume was quantified in untreated and curcumin-treated animals (200 mg/kg/day, oral). Furthermore, serum enzyme measurements (GOT, GPT, glucose, bilirubin, etc.) were carried out to assess the possible effects on the liver function. Results: In vitro studies showed curcumin’s greatest effects 48h after application, when all of the tested doses reduced cell proliferation by more than 30%. At 72 h, the highest doses of curcumin (25 and 30 µM) reduced cell viability to less than 50%. The wound healing test also showed that curcumin inhibits migration capacity. In vivo, curcumin slowed down the tumor volume of liver implants by 5.6-fold (7.98 ± 1.45 vs. 1.41 ± 1.33; p > 0.0001). Conclusions: Curcumin has shown an anti-tumor effect against liver implants from colorectal cancer, both in vitro and in vivo, in this experimental model.
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