Curcumin inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression through down-regulating the circNRIP1/miR-532-3p/AKT pathway

Curcumin inhibits the activity of ubiquitin ligase Smurf2 to promote NLRP3‑dependent pyroptosis in non‑small cell lung cancer cells

Non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a malignant tumor of significant clinical relevance. Curcumin has been investigated for its potential anticancer properties, as it has been reported to act through multiple cancer‑related targets and pathways. The present study aimed to explore the effects of curcumin in NSCLC using both in vitro and in vivo models. NSCLC cell lines (specifically, A549 and NCI‑H1299 cells), and a mouse tumor model established through the subcutaneous injection of A549 cells, were utilized to evaluate the effects of curcumin intervention. The effects of treatment with curcumin on NOD‑like receptor pyrin domain‑containing 3 (NLRP3) ubiquitination, cell pyroptosis and pyroptosis‑associated factors were also evaluated. In addition, Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2) was analyzed via a series of knockdown and overexpression experiments, both in vitro and in vivo, aimed at investigating its association with curcumin and NLRP3. The results obtained from these experiments showed that curcumin inhibited NSCLC cell growth, promoted pyroptosis and reduced the level of NLRP3 ubiquitination. NLRP3 knockdown reversed the curcumin‑induced increase in pyroptosis‑associated factors both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, Smurf2 interacted with NLRP3 and alterations in Smurf2 expression levels influenced NLRP3 ubiquitination and cell pyroptosis. Moreover, molecular docking analysis demonstrated that curcumin could bind directly to Smurf2, which subsequently led to an inhibition of Smurf2 activity. Knockdown of Smurf2 enhanced curcumin's ability to stabilize NLRP3 and to promote pyroptosis, whereas Smurf2 overexpression negated these effects. In the in vivo animal model, curcumin treatment led to reduced tumor volumes and weights, in addition to a decreased expression level of Ki67 and increased expression levels of NLRP3 and pyroptosis‑associated factors. Similarly, these effects were enhanced or reversed by Smurf2 knockdown or overexpression, respectively. In conclusion, the findings of the present study showed that curcumin inhibited Smurf2 activity, thereby promoting NLRP3‑dependent pyroptosis in NSCLC cells. In addition, these findings have provided mechanistic insights into the role of curcumin in NSCLC, opening an avenue for its potential therapeutic application.

Targeting the Akt signaling pathway: Exploiting curcumin's anticancer potential

Cancer is recognized as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In recent years, advancements in early detection and expanding treatment options have contributed to a decrease in mortality rates. However, the emergence of drug-resistant cancers necessitates the exploration of innovative and more effective drugs. The Akt kinases play a central role in various signaling pathways that regulate crucial cellular processes, including cell growth, proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and glucose metabolism. Due to frequent disruptions of the Akt signaling pathway in numerous human cancers and its broad biological implications, targeting this pathway has become a key focus in combating tumor aggressiveness and a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention. Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, has been extensively studied for its potential as an anti-cancer agent. It demonstrates inhibitory effects on cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis by influencing various processes involved in tumor growth and development. These effects are achieved through negative regulation of transcription factors, growth factors, cytokines, protein kinases, and other oncogenic molecules. This review aims to explore curcumin's anticancer activity against different types of cancer mediated via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, as well as its practical applications in treatment.

Network pharmacology and molecular docking reveal the mechanisms of curcumin activity against esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Curcumin (CUR), an effective traditional Chinese medicinal extract, displays good anti-cancer activity against various cancers. Nevertheless, the impacts and fundamental mechanisms of CUR to treat esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) yet to be comprehensively clarified. This study examined the suppressive impacts of CUR on ESCC. Methods: For a comprehensive understanding of the effect of CUR in ESCC. The CUR targets and ESCC-related genes were identified respectively, and the intersection targets between CUR and ESCC were acquired. Then, we examined the intersection targets and discovered genes that were expressed differently in ESCC. Using DAVID, enrichment analyses were conducted on the targets of CUR-ESCC. The STRING database and Cytoscape v.3.9.1 were utilized to build networks for protein-protein interaction (PPI) and drug-target-pathway. Furthermore, the interactions between CUR and its core targets were confirmed by molecular docking studies. To confirm the effects of CUR on ESCC cells, in vitro experiments were finally conducted. Results: Overall, 47 potential CUR targets for ESCC treatment were identified. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis identified 61 signaling pathways, primarily associated with the FoxO signaling, the cell cycle, cellular senescence, the IL-17 signaling pathway which play important roles in ESCC progression. In the PPI network and the docking results identified CHEK1 and CDK6 as the core targets that positively associated with ESCC survival. CUR arrested ESCC cells at the G2/M and S phases, as shown by flow cytometry. Colony formation and CCK8 assays showed that CUR can inhibit the proliferative ability of ESCC cells. The Transwell invasion results validated that CUR can significantly inhibit the invasion rates of ESCC cells. Conclusion: Collectively, these findings indicate that CUR exhibits pharmacological effects on multiple targets and pathways in ESCC.