Nanocurcumin-Mediated Down-Regulation of Telomerase Via Stimulating TGFβ1 Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Combined Treatment of Dendrosomal-Curcumin and Daunorubicin Synergistically Inhibit Cell Proliferation, Migration and Induce Apoptosis in A549 Lung Cancer Cells

Purpose

Chemotherapy drugs used to treat lung cancer are associated with drug resistance and severe side effects. There have been rising demands for new therapeutic candidates and novel approaches, including combination therapy. Here, we aimed to investigate the combinatorial effect of a dendrosomal formulation of curcumin (DNC) and daunorubicin (DNR) on the A549 lung cancer cell line.

Methods

We performed cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell migration, colony-formation capacity, and gene expression analysis to interpret the mechanism of action for a combination of DNC and DNR on A549 cells.

Results

Our results revealed that the combination of DNC and DNR could synergistically inhibit the A549 cells' growth. This synergistic cytotoxicity was further approved by flow cytometry, migration assessment, colony-forming capacity and gene expression analysis. DNR combination with DNC resulted in increased apoptosis to necrosis ratio compared to DNR alone. In addition, the migration and colony-forming capacity were at the minimal range when DNC was combined with DNR. Combined treatment decreased the expression level of MDR-1, hTERT and Bcl-2 genes significantly. In addition, the ratio of Bax/Bcl2 gene expression significantly increased. Our analysis by free curcumin, dendrosomes and DNC also showed that dendrosomes do not have any significant cytotoxic effect on the A549 cells, suggesting that this carrier has a high potential for enhancing the curcumin's biological effects.

Conclusion

Our observations suggest that the DNC formulation of curcumin synergistically enhances the antineoplastic effect of DNR on the A549 cell line through the modulation of apoptosis/necrosis ratio, as well as Bax/Bcl2 ratio, MDR-1 and hTERT gene expression.

The theranostic potentialities of bioavailable nanocurcumin in oral cancer management

BACKGROUND

Oral cancer, one of the most common cancers, has unimproved 5-years survival rate in the last 30 years and the chemo/radiotherapy-associated morbidity. Therefore, intervention strategies that evade harmful side effects of the conventional treatment modalities are of need. Herbal therapy as a complementary preventive/therapeutic modality has gained attention. Curcumin is one of the herbal compounds possessing unique anticancer activity and luminescent optical properties. However, its low water solubility limits its efficacy. In contrast, curcumin at the nanoscale shows altered physical properties with enhancing bioavailability.

METHODS

The current study evaluated the impact of nanocurcumin as an anti-oral cancer herbal remedy, comparing its efficacy against the native curcumin complement and conventional chemotherapeutic. An optimized polymeric-stabilized nanocurcumin was synthesized using the solvent-antisolvent precipitation technique. After assuring the solubility and biocompatibility of nanocurcumin, we determined its cytotoxic dose in treating the squamous cell carcinoma cell line. We then evaluated the anti-tumorigenic activity of the nano-herb in inhibiting wound closure and the cytological alterations of the treated cancer cells. Furthermore, the cellular uptake of the nanocurcumin was assessed depending on its autofluorescence.

RESULTS

The hydrophilic optimized nanocurcumin has a potent cancerous cytotoxicity at a lower dose (60.8 µg/mL) than the native curcumin particles (212.4 µg/mL) that precipitated on high doses hindering their cellular uptake. Moreover, the nanocurcumin showed differential targeting of the cancer cells over the normal fibroblasts with a selectivity index of 4.5. With the confocal microscopy, the luminescent nanoparticles showed gradual nuclear and cytoplasmic uptake with apparent apoptotic cell death, over the fluorescent doxorubicin with its necrotic effect. Furthermore, the nanocurcumin superiorly inhibited the migration of cancer cells by -25%.

CONCLUSIONS

The bioavailable nanocurcumin has better apoptotic cytotoxicity. Moreover, its superior luminescence promotes the theranostic potentialities of the nano-herb combating oral cancer.

Therapeutic effect of curcumin in gastrointestinal cancers: A comprehensive review

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers with a high global prevalence are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, there is a great need to develop efficient therapeutic approaches. Curcumin, a naturally occurring agent, is a promising compound with documented safety and anticancer activities. Recent studies have demonstrated the activity of curcumin in the prevention and treatment of different cancers. According to systematic studies on curcumin use in various diseases, it can be particularly effective in GI cancers because of its high bioavailability in the gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless, the clinical applications of curcumin are largely limited because of its low solubility and low chemical stability in water. These limitations may be addressed by the use of relevant analogues or novel delivery systems. Herein, we summarize the pharmacological effects of curcumin against GI cancers. Moreover, we highlight the application of curcumin's analogues and novel delivery systems in the treatment of GI cancers.