Curcumin induces apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells through a reactive oxygen species-dependent mitochondrial signaling pathway

  • Authors:
    • Qingyong Chen
    • Yanyi Wang
    • Kedi Xu
    • Guohua Lu
    • Zheng Ying
    • Lijun Wu
    • Jianwei Zhan
    • Rui Fang
    • Yuquan Wu
    • Jianying Zhou
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: February 1, 2010     https://doi.org/10.3892/or_00000648
  • Pages: 397-403
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Abstract

Several studies have shown that curcumin can induce apoptosis and inhibit growth in human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. However, the mechanism is not completely understood yet. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of curcumin on A549 cells to better understand its apoptosis and apoptosis-related factors in vitro. The apoptosis induction, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were examined by confocal fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry. The MAPK protein expression was examined by Western blot analysis. After treatment with curcumin, apoptosis were observed. Curcumin-induced apoptosis was accompanied by an increase of intracellular ROS level and a loss of MMP. In addition, induction of apoptosis was also accompanied by sustained phosphorylation and activation of JNK, p38 and ERK. However, pretreatment with MAPK inhibitors had no effect upon curcumin-induced apoptosis. GSH and NAC, an anti-oxidant agent, blocked the curcumin-induced ROS production, MMP loss and rescued cells from curcumin-induced apoptosis. Our results indicated that curcumin induced apoptosis in A549 cells through a reactive oxygen species-dependent mitochondrial signaling pathway and independent of MAPK signaling pathway.

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February 2010
Volume 23 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1021-335X
Online ISSN:1791-2431

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Spandidos Publications style
Chen Q, Wang Y, Xu K, Lu G, Ying Z, Wu L, Zhan J, Fang R, Wu Y, Zhou J, Zhou J, et al: Curcumin induces apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells through a reactive oxygen species-dependent mitochondrial signaling pathway. Oncol Rep 23: 397-403, 2010
APA
Chen, Q., Wang, Y., Xu, K., Lu, G., Ying, Z., Wu, L. ... Zhou, J. (2010). Curcumin induces apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells through a reactive oxygen species-dependent mitochondrial signaling pathway. Oncology Reports, 23, 397-403. https://doi.org/10.3892/or_00000648
MLA
Chen, Q., Wang, Y., Xu, K., Lu, G., Ying, Z., Wu, L., Zhan, J., Fang, R., Wu, Y., Zhou, J."Curcumin induces apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells through a reactive oxygen species-dependent mitochondrial signaling pathway". Oncology Reports 23.2 (2010): 397-403.
Chicago
Chen, Q., Wang, Y., Xu, K., Lu, G., Ying, Z., Wu, L., Zhan, J., Fang, R., Wu, Y., Zhou, J."Curcumin induces apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells through a reactive oxygen species-dependent mitochondrial signaling pathway". Oncology Reports 23, no. 2 (2010): 397-403. https://doi.org/10.3892/or_00000648