Curcumin induces caspase-3-independent apoptosis in human multidrug-resistant cells

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 Nov:973:250-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2002.tb04643.x.

Abstract

Curcumin, the major component of the spice turmeric, used in 50- micro M concentration, induced cell death in multidrug-resistant CEM(P-gp4) and LoVo(P-gp4) cells as well as in their sensitive counterparts as assessed by TUNEL method and morphological observation. In all cells induced to undergo cell death with curcumin, there was no caspase-3 activation because only the unprocessed form of caspase-3 was observed using immunoblotting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspases / metabolism*
  • Curcumin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • CASP3 protein, human
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspases
  • Curcumin