Curcumin suppresses the progression of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma through the upregulation of miR-145 and inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

Cancer chemoprevention: signaling pathways and strategic approaches

Although cancer chemopreventive agents have been confirmed to effectively protect high-risk populations from cancer invasion or recurrence, only over ten drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, screening potent cancer chemopreventive agents is crucial to reduce the constantly increasing incidence and mortality rate of cancer. Considering the lengthy prevention process, an ideal chemopreventive agent should be nontoxic, inexpensive, and oral. Natural compounds have become a natural treasure reservoir for cancer chemoprevention because of their superior ease of availability, cost-effectiveness, and safety. The benefits of natural compounds as chemopreventive agents in cancer prevention have been confirmed in various studies. In light of this, the present review is intended to fully delineate the entire scope of cancer chemoprevention, and primarily focuses on various aspects of cancer chemoprevention based on natural compounds, specifically focusing on the mechanism of action of natural compounds in cancer prevention, and discussing in detail how they exert cancer prevention effects by affecting classical signaling pathways, immune checkpoints, and gut microbiome. We also introduce novel cancer chemoprevention strategies and summarize the role of natural compounds in improving chemotherapy regimens. Furthermore, we describe strategies for discovering anticancer compounds with low abundance and high activity, revealing the broad prospects of natural compounds in drug discovery for cancer chemoprevention. Moreover, we associate cancer chemoprevention with precision medicine, and discuss the challenges encountered in cancer chemoprevention. Finally, we emphasize the transformative potential of natural compounds in advancing the field of cancer chemoprevention and their ability to introduce more effective and less toxic preventive options for oncology.

Targeting mTOR with curcumin: therapeutic implications for complex diseases

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a crucial enzyme in regulating multiple signaling pathways in the body, including autophagy, proliferation and apoptosis. Disruption of these mTOR signaling pathways can lead to an array of abnormalities and trigger disease processes, examples being neurodegenerative conditions, cancer, obesity and diabetes. Under conditions of oxidative stress, mTOR can regulate apoptosis and autophagy, with tissue repair being favored under such circumstances. Moreover, the correlation between mTOR and other signaling pathways could play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of numerous disorders. mTOR has a tight connection with NF-κB, Akt, PI3K, MAPK, GSK-3β, Nrf2/HO-1, JAK/STAT, CREB/BDNF, and ERK1/2 pathways, which together could play significant roles in the regulation of inflammation, apoptosis, cell survival, and oxidative stress in different body organs. Research suggests that inhibiting mTOR could be beneficial in treating metabolic, neurological and cardiovascular conditions, as well as potentially extending life expectancy. Therefore, identifying new chemicals and agents that can modulate the mTOR signaling pathway holds promise for treating and preventing these disorders. Curcumin is one such agent that has demonstrated regulatory effects on the mTOR pathway, making it an exciting alternative for reducing complications associated with complex diseases by targeting mTOR. This review aims to examine the potential of curcumin in modulating the mTOR signaling pathway and its therapeutic implications.

Mechanistic insight of curcumin: a potential pharmacological candidate for epilepsy

Recurrent spontaneous seizures with an extended epileptic discharge are the hallmarks of epilepsy. At present, there are several available anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in the market. Still no adequate treatment for epilepsy treatment is available. The main disadvantages of AEDs are their associated adverse effects. It is a challenge to develop new therapies that can reduce seizures by modulating the underlying mechanisms with no adverse effects. In the last decade, the neuromodulatory potential of phytoconstituents has sparked their usage in the treatment of central nervous system disorders. Curcumin is an active polyphenolic component that interacts at cellular and molecular levels. Curcumin's neuroprotective properties have been discovered in recent preclinical and clinical studies due to its immunomodulatory effects. Curcumin has the propensity to modulate signaling pathways involved in cell survival and manage oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory mechanisms. Further, curcumin can persuade epigenetic alterations, including histone modifications (acetylation/deacetylation), which are the changes responsible for the altered expression of genes facilitating the process of epileptogenesis. The bioavailability of curcumin in the brain is a concern that needs to be tackled. Therefore, nanonization has emerged as a novel drug delivery system to enhance the pharmacokinetics of curcumin. In the present review, we reviewed curcumin's modulatory effects on potential biomarkers involved in epileptogenesis including dendritic cells, T cell subsets, cytokines, chemokines, apoptosis mediators, antioxidant mechanisms, and cognition impairment. Also, we have discussed the nanocarrier systems for encapsulating curcumin, offering a promising approach to enhance bioavailability of curcumin.

Reduced Levels of miR-145-3p Drive Cell Cycle Progression in Advanced High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most lethal form of gynecologic cancer, with limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. Epigenetic factors, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and DNA methylation, play pivotal roles in cancer progression, yet their specific contributions to HGSOC remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we performed comprehensive high-throughput analyses to identify dysregulated miRNAs in HGSOC and investigate their epigenetic regulation. Analysis of tissue samples from advanced-stage HGSOC patients revealed 20 differentially expressed miRNAs, 11 of which were corroborated via RT-qPCR in patient samples and cancer cell lines. Among these, miR-145-3p was consistently downregulated post-neoadjuvant therapy and was able to distinguish tumoural from control tissues. Further investigation confirmed that DNA methylation controls MIR145 expression. Functional assays showed that overexpression of miR-145-3p significantly reduced cell migration and induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest by modulating the cyclin D1-CDK4/6 pathway. These findings suggest that miR-145-3p downregulation enhances cell proliferation and motility in HGSOC, implicating its restoration as a potential therapeutic target focused on G1/S phase regulation in the treatment of HGSOC.

Curcumin: A Potential Weapon in the Prevention and Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancers (HNC) are aggressive, difficult-to-treat tumors that can be caused by genetic factors but mainly by lifestyle or infection caused by the human papillomavirus. As the sixth most common malignancy, it presents a formidable therapeutic challenge with limited therapeutic modalities. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol, is appearing as a promising multitarget anticancer and antimetastatic agent. Numerous studies have shown that curcumin and its derivatives have the potential to affect signaling pathways (NF-κB, JAK/STAT, and EGFR) and molecular mechanisms that are crucial for the growth and migration of head and neck tumors. Furthermore, its ability to interact with the tumor microenvironment and trigger the immune system may significantly influence the organism's immune response to the tumor. Combining curcumin with conventional therapies such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy may improve the efficacy of treatment and reduce the side effects of treatment, thereby increasing its therapeutic potential. This review is a comprehensive overview that discusses both the benefits and limitations of curcumin and its therapeutic effects in the context of tumor biology, with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms in the context of HNC. This review also includes possibilities to improve the limiting properties of curcumin both in terms of the development of new derivatives, formulations, or combinations with conventional therapies that have potential as a new type of therapy for the treatment of HNC and subsequent use in clinical practice.

Curcumin suppresses the malignant phenotype of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma through downregulating E2F1 to inhibit FLNA

Curcumin is a kind of polyphenol substance extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa. Because of its good biological activity and pharmacological effects, it has been used in anti-tumor research. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer mechanism of curcumin on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to check the expression level of transcription factor E2F1 (E2F1) and filamin A (FLNA) mRNA. E2F1 and FLNA protein and proliferation-associated protein were detected through western blot. Cell viability was showed by MTT assay, and flow cytometry was used to exhibit cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis. Tube formation assay was used to detect the angiogenesis ability of cells. Transwell was used as a method to observe cell migration and invasion. The online website JASPAR predicted the binding site of E2F1 and FLNA promoter, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and dual-luciferase report experiment verified the combination. Curcumin treatment made LSCC cells viability reduce, cell cycle retardant, angiogenesis decrease, metastasis inhibition and apoptosis increase. And curcumin treatment could downregulate the expression of E2F1, and E2F1 overexpression would reverse the influence of curcumin treatment in LSCC cells. Moreover, E2F1 could bind to FLAN promoter and promote FLNA expression. The expression level of FLNA was higher in LSCC tissue and cells compared with normal tissue and cells. E2F1 knockdown inhibited malignant phenotype of LSCC cells, which would be reversed by FLNA addition. In addition, FLNA had high level in LSCC tissue and cells. Curcumin regulated FLNA expression via inhibiting E2F1. Finally, in vivo assay showed that curcumin inhibition restrained LSCC tumor formation. Curcumin downregulated FLNA expression through inhibiting E2F1, thereby suppressing the malignant phenotype and angiogenesis of LSCC cells, which was a new regulatory pathway in LSCC.

Exploiting new strategies in combating head and neck carcinoma: A comprehensive review on phytochemical approaches passing through PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Recently, malignant neoplasms have growingly caused human morbidity and mortality. Head and neck cancer (HNC) constitutes a substantial group of malignancies occurring in various anatomical regions of the head and neck, including lips, mouth, throat, larynx, nose, sinuses, oropharynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, and salivary glands. The present study addresses the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway as a possible therapeutic target in cancer therapy. Finding new multitargeting agents capable of modulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR and cross-linked mediators could be viewed as an effective strategy in combating HNC. Recent studies have introduced phytochemicals as multitargeting agents and rich sources for finding and developing new therapeutic agents. Phytochemicals have exhibited immense anticancer effects, including targeting different stages of HNC through the modulation of several signaling pathways. Moreover, phenolic/polyphenolic compounds, alkaloids, terpenes/terpenoids, and other secondary metabolites have demonstrated promising anticancer activities because of their diverse pharmacological and biological properties like antiproliferative, antineoplastic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The current review is mainly focused on new therapeutic strategies for HNC passing through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway as new strategies in combating HNC.

Exosomal lncRNA LINC02191 Promotes Laryngeal Squamous cell Carcinoma Progression by Targeting miR-204-5p/RAB22A Axis and Regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway

Recent research has explored the potential use of serum-derived biomarkers in cancer screening, and mounting evidence has illustrated the pivotal roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in regulating laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) progression. LINC02191 is a newly identified lncRNA and no studies have investigated its role in malignant tumors. This study aims to explore the functions and mechanisms of lncRNA LINC02191 in LSCC. LINC02191 was knocked down in LSCC cells using shRNAs for loss-of-function experiments. RT-qPCR revealed that LINC02191 was upregulated in LSCC patients' serum exosomes, tissues and cells. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were implemented for detecting molecular protein and RNA levels. Colony formation, CCK-8, wound healing and Transwell assays were employed for examining LSCC cell malignant behaviors in vitro. A tumor-bearing mouse model (n = 4/group) was established for examining LINC02191 role in vivo. The results showed that LINC02191 silencing hindered LSCC cell proliferation, invasiveness, migration as well as EMT in vitro and impeded tumorigenesis in xenograft mouse model. Luciferase reporter assay was utilized for verifying the interaction between LINC02191, miR-204-5p and RAB22A. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to evaluate their expression correlation in LSCC tissue specimens (N = 30). Mechanistically, LINC02191 upregulated RAB22A by binding to miR-204-5p, and knocking down LINC02191 inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling transduction in LSCC cells and tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, RAB22A overexpression reversed LINC02191 depletion-triggered suppression of LSCC cell aggressiveness and inactivation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. In conclusion, LINC02191 aggravates LSCC by targeting miR-204-5p/RAB22A/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which indicates that LINC02191 may serve as a promising target for LSCC treatment.

MiR-760 exerts a critical regulatory role in glioma proliferation, migration, and invasion by modulating MMP2 expression

Background: Glioma represents the predominant subtype of brain tumor, characterized by an unfavorable prognosis. Current evidence indicates the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the initiation and progression of glioma malignancies. While miR-760 has been recognized in the context of tumorigenesis, its precise role in gliomas remains insufficiently explored. Methods: In this investigation, we harnessed the GSE25631 database to scrutinize the aberrant expression profiles of microRNAs, whereby the diminished expression of miR-760 in glioblastoma was validated. Our aim was to delineate the expression patterns of microRNA-760 (miR-760) and probe its prognostic significance within the realm of glioma. Employing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, we ascertained the relative expression levels of miR-760 and MMP2 in glioma cell lines. The impact of miR-760 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was assessed through Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), and Transwell assays. Bioinformatics analysis corroborated the downstream target gene of miR-760. Furthermore, a luciferase reporter experiment was conducted to pinpoint MMP2 as the direct target gene of miR-760. The assessment of MMP2 protein levels was accomplished through Western blotting and immunofluorescence techniques. Result: Our data unequivocally revealed a substantial reduction in miR-760 expression within glioma tissues and cell lines. Heightened miR-760 levels exerted a restraining influence on the proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities of glioma cell lines. The outcomes of our bioinformatics analysis unveiled the ability of miR-760 to engage with and curtail MMP2 expression. Collectively, these findings posit that miR-760 exerts a restraining influence on glioma growth by orchestrating the upregulation of miR-760 along the miR-760/MMP2 axis. Conclusion: The delineation of the miR-760/MMP2 axis promises to broaden our comprehension of the intricate molecular mechanisms underpinning glioma proliferation and may unveil prospective therapeutic avenues for the management of glioma.

Curcuminoids as Cell Signaling Pathway Modulators: A Potential Strategy for Cancer Prevention

Despite substantial advancements in curative modern medicine in the last few decades, cancer risk and casualty rates have continued to mount globally. The exact reason for cancer's onset and progression is still unknown. However, skeletal and functional abnormalities in the genetic code are assumed to be the primary cause of cancer. Many lines of evidence reported that some medicinal plants can be utilized to curb cancer cell proliferation with a safe, fruitful, and cost-efficient perspective. Curcuminoid, isolated from Curcuma longa, have gotten a lot of focus due to their anticancer potential as they reduce tumor progression, invasion, and dissemination. Further, they modulated signal transduction routes like MAPK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, JAK/STAT, and Wnt/β-catenin, etc., and triggered apoptosis as well as actuated autophagy in malignant cells without altering the normal cells, thus preventing cancer progression. Besides, Curcuminoid also regulate the function and expression of anti-tumor and carcinogenic miRNAs. Clinical studies also reported the therapeutic effect of Curcuminoid against various cancer through decreasing specific biomarkers like TNF-α, Bcl-2, COX-2, PGE2, VEGF, IκKβ, and various cytokines like IL-12p70, IL-10, IL-2, IFN-γ levels and increasing in p53 and Bax levels. Thus, in the present review, we abridged the modulation of several signal transduction routes by Curcuminoids in various malignancies, and its modulatory role in the initiation of tumor-suppressive miRNAs and suppression of the oncogenic miRNAs are explored. Additionally, various pharmacokinetic approaches have been projected to address the Curcuminoids bioavailability like the use of piperine as an adjuvant; nanotechnology- based Curcuminoids preparations utilizing Curcuminoids analogues are also discussed.

Research on preparation and antitumor activity of redox-responsive polymer micelles co-loaded with sorafenib and curcumin

A novel redox-responsive mPEG-SS-PLA (PSP) polymeric micelle was synthesized and prepared for the delivery of sorafenib (SAF) and curcumin (CUR). And a series of validations were conducted to confirm the structure of the synthesized polymer carriers. Using the Chou-Talalay approach, the combination indexes (CI) of SAF and CUR were determined, and explore the inhibitory effects of the two drugs on HepG2R cells at different ratios. SAF/CUR-PSP polymeric micelles were prepared by thin film hydration method, and the physicochemical properties of nanomicelles were evaluated. The biocompatibility, cell uptake, cell migration, and cytotoxicity assays were assessed in HepG2R cells. The expression of the phosphoinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine kinase (Akt) signaling pathway was detected by Western blot assay. Additionally, the tumor suppressive effect of SAF/CUR-PSP micelles was clearly superior to free drug monotherapy or their physical combination in HepG2 cell-induced tumor xenografts. The current study revealed that mPEG-SS-PLA polymer micelles loaded with SAF and CUR showed the enhanced therapeutic effects against hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo models. It has promising applications for cancer therapy.

Curcumin inhibits human cancer cell growth and migration through downregulation of SVCT2

Curcumin is a natural polyphenol that is extracted from the rhizomes of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa), a member of the ginger family. It has been used for centuries in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for its medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumor effects. SVCT2 (Solute Carrier Family 23 Member 2, also known as SLC23A2) is a protein that plays a role in the transport of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) into cells. SVCT2 plays an important role in tumor progression and metastasis, however, the molecular mechanisms of curcumin on SVCT2 have not been studied to date. Curcumin treatment inhibited proliferation and migration of cancer cells in a dose dependent manner. We found that curcumin reduced the expression of SVCT2 in cancer cells with a wild type p53, but not in those with a mutant type of p53. SVCT2 downregulation also reduced the MMP2 activity. Taken together, our results indicate that curcumin inhibited human cancer cell growth and migration by regulating SVCT2 through a downregulating p53. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of curcumin's anticancer effects and potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of metastatic migration.

The role of miRNAs in laryngeal cancer pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance - A focus on signaling pathways interplay

Laryngeal cancer (LC)is the malignancy of the larynx (voice box). The majority of LC are squamous cell carcinomas. Many risk factors were reported to be associated with LC as tobacco use, obesity, alcohol intake, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and asbestos exposure. Besides, epigenetics as non-coding nucleic acids also have a great role in LC. miRNAs are short nucleic acid molecules that can modulate multiple cellular processes by regulating the expression of their genes. Therefore, LC progression, apoptosis evasions, initiation, EMT, and angiogenesis are associated with dysregulated miRNA expressions. miRNAs also could have some vital signaling pathways such as mTOR/P-gp, Wnt/-catenin signaling, JAK/STAT, KRAS, and EGF. Besides, miRNAs also have a role in the modulation of LC response to different therapeutic modalities. In this review, we have provided a comprehensive and updated overview highlighting the microRNAs biogenesis, general biological functions, regulatory mechanisms, and signaling dysfunction in LC carcinogenesis, in addition to their clinical potential for LC diagnosis, prognosis, and chemotherapeutics response implications.

Curcumin Represses Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation by Triggering Ferroptosis via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling

Curcumin is known to suppress the progression of colorectal cancer by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. In this study, we explored the role of ferroptosis in the antiproliferative properties of curcumin. The effect of curcumin on ferroptosis In Vitro was evaluated in HCT-8 cells. Ferroptosis was first blocked by ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) and the antiproliferative effect of curcumin was evaluated by determining the levels of ferroptotic markers, including glutathione (GSH), SLC7A11, GPX4, iron, malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). An agonist and an inhibitor of PI3K were also used to verify the signaling pathway involved in the antiproliferative effects. Curcumin repressed HCT-8 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Treating HCT-8 cells with curcumin significantly downregulated GSH, SLC7A11, and GPX4, while significantly increasing levels of iron, MDA, and ROS. In addition, curcumin promoted ferroptosis and reduced proliferation of HCT-8 cells by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, and these effects were antagonized by Fer-1. The effects of curcumin were antagonized by a PI3K agonist and reinforced by a PI3K inhibitor. Curcumin triggers ferroptosis and suppresses proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. These results indicate its potential as a treatment against colorectal cancer.

Role of curcumin in selected head and neck lesions. Limitations on the use of the Hep-2 cell line: A critical review

Neoplastic diseases of the upper respiratory airways, as well as head and neck cancers, are a frequent cause of death and significantly affect the quality of life of both patients and survivors. As the frequency increases, new and improved treatment techniques are sought. Promising properties in this respect are expressed by a natural compound - curcumin. Along with its derivatives, it was found useful in the treatment of a series of cancers. Curcumin was found to be effective in clinical trials and in vitro, in vivo anticancer experiments. Nanoformulations (e.g., poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid)-based nanoparticles, nanoemulsions), and modifications of curcumin, as well as its combinations with other substances (e.g., catechins, cisplatin) or treatments (e.g., radiotherapy or local use in inhalation), were found to enhance the antitumor effect. This review aims to summarize the recent findings for the treatment of head and neck diseases, especially squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), including drawing attention to the constant use of the misidentified Hep-2 cell line and proposing databases purposed at eliminating this problem. Moreover, this manuscript focuses on pointing out the molecular mechanisms of therapy that have been reached and emphasizing the shortcomings that still need to be addressed.

Role of PI3K/AKT pathway in squamous cell carcinoma with an especial focus on head and neck cancers

PI3K/AKT pathway is an important pathway in the carcinogenesis since it has central impacts in the regulation of metabolic pathways, cell proliferation and survival, gene expression and protein synthesis. This pathway has been reported to be dysregulated in several types of cancers. In the current review, we summarize the role of this signaling pathway in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) originated from different parts of body cervix, oral cavity, head and neck and skin. The data presented in the current review shows the impact of dysregulation of PI3K/AKT pathway in survival of patients with SCC. Moreover, targeted therapies against this pathway have been found to be effective in reduction of tumor burden both in animal models and clinical settings. Finally, a number of molecules that regulate PI3K/AKT pathway can be used as diagnostic markers for different types of SCCs.

MiR-646 regulates proliferation and migration of laryngeal carcinoma through the PI3K/AKT pathway via targeting GPX1

Laryngeal cancer is a common type of head and neck malignancy. microRNA is implicated in the development and progression of various tumours. The present study aimed to explore the potential roles and mechanisms of miR-646 in laryngeal carcinoma cells. We detected the expression of miR-646 and observed that miR-646 was reduced in laryngeal cell lines. Subsequently, the proliferation, migration and invasion of TU212 and TU686 cells were evaluated using CCK-8 assays, cell proliferation ELISA BrdU and transwell assays after transfection with miR-646 mimic. Overexpression of miR-646 attenuated the proliferative and invasive abilities of TU212 and TU686 cells. Dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) is a direct target of miR-646. Interestingly, restoration of GPX1 promoted cell proliferation and migration, and reversed the biological activities of miR-646 in cell proliferation and migration. It is worth noting that miR-646 overexpression blocked the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway, and this was partly abrogated by GPX1. 740Y-P, a PI3K agonist abolished the effects of miR-646 on cell proliferation and invasion. Taken together, miR-646 prohibited the proliferation and invasion of laryngeal carcinoma cells through the PI3K/AKT pathway via targeting GPX1.

Exploring the Mechanism of the miRNA-145/Paxillin Axis in Cell Metabolism During VEGF-A-Induced Corneal Angiogenesis

Purpose

Paxillin (PXN) is a key component of focal adhesions and plays an important role in angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of PXN in vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A)–induced angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods

HUVECs were transfected with PXN overexpression and PXN interference vectors. Biochemical detection was used to detect adenosine triphosphate and lactic acid production. The morphology of mitochondria was observed under an electron microscope, and flow cytometry was conducted to measure mitochondrial membrane potential. Transwell experiments were used to detect the migration and tube formation ability of each group of cells. The expression of hexokinase (HK)1, HK2, glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated AKT, and phosphorylated mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) was evaluated by western blot.

Results

PXN silencing reduced the levels of lactic acid and adenosine triphosphate, downregulated HK1, HK2, and GLUT1, suppressed PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling activation, and inhibited VEGF-A–induced mitochondria injury in VEGF-A–induced HUVECs. We also determined that miR-145-5p decreased the VEGF-A–induced expression of PXN and inhibited the invasion and angiogenesis of HUVECs. Also, miR-145-5p inhibition blocked the protective effect of PXN interference on VEGF-A–induced HUVEC injury. Furthermore, PXN interference significantly decreased lactic acid and adenosine triphosphate levels, inhibited PI3K/AKT/mTOR activation, and decreased the levels of HK1, HK2, and GLUT1 in VEGF-A-treated mouse corneal.

Conclusions

The results indicate that PXN silencing inhibited the VEGF-A–induced invasion and angiogenesis of HUVECs via regulation of cell metabolism and mitochondrial damage, suggesting that PXN may be a potential target for antiangiogenic therapies.

Curcumin inhibits prostate cancer progression by regulating the miR-30a-5p/PCLAF axis

Curcumin has been shown to inhibit the growth of a variety of tumor cells. However, the biological functions of curcumin in prostate cancer (PCa) have not yet fully elucidated. The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of curcumin on the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of PCa cells and the underlying mechanism. Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry were used to detect the effects of curcumin at different concentrations on the proliferation and apoptosis of PCa cell lines, PC-3 and DU145. BrdU and Transwell assays, western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR were used to determine the effect of curcumin on cell proliferation, migration and invasion, apoptosis-related protein expression, and microRNA (miR)-30a-5p and PCNA clamp associated factor (PCLAF) expression, respectively. In addition, bioinformatics analysis and Pearson's correlation test were used to verify the relationship between miR-30a-5p and PCLAF. Curcumin was observed to impede the proliferation, migration and invasion of PCa cells, and promote their apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Curcumin enhanced miR-30a-5p expression and inhibited PCLAF expression; furthermore, there was a negative correlation between miR-30a-5p and PCLAF expression in PCa tissues. In addition, transfection of miR-30a-5p inhibitors partially reversed the function of curcumin on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. Overall, curcumin suppressed the malignant biological behaviors of PCa cells by regulating the miR-30a-5p/PCLAF axis.

Potential Therapeutic Targets of Curcumin, Most Abundant Active Compound of Turmeric Spice: Role in the Management of Various Types of Cancer

BACKGROUND

Curcumin, an active compound of turmeric spice, is one of the most-studied natural compounds and has been widely recognized as a chemopreventive agent. Several molecular mechanisms have proven that curcumin and its analogs play a role in cancer prevention through modulating various cell signaling pathways as well as in the inhibition of the carcinogenesis process.

OBJECTIVE

To study the potential role of curcumin in the management of various types of cancer through modulating cell signalling molecules based on available literature and recent patents.

METHODS

A wide-ranging literature survey was performed based on Scopus, PubMed, PubMed Central, and Google scholar for the implication of curcumin in cancer management, along with a special emphasis on human clinical trials. Moreover, patents were searched through www.google.com/patents, www.freepatentsonline.com, and www.freshpatents.com.

RESULT

Recent studies based on cancer cells have proven that curcumin has potential effects against cancer cells as it prevents the growth of cancer and acts as a cancer therapeutic agent. Besides, curcumin exerted anti-cancer effects by inducing apoptosis, activating tumor suppressor genes, cell cycle arrest, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, initiation, promotion, and progression stages of tumor. It was established that co-treatment of curcumin and anti-cancer drugs could induce apoptosis and also play a significant role in the suppression of the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

Accumulating evidences suggest that curcumin has the potential to inhibit cancer growth, induce apoptosis, and modulate various cell signaling pathway molecules. Well-designed clinical trials of curcumin based on human subjects are still needed to establish the bioavailability, mechanism of action, efficacy, and safe dose in the management of various cancers.

MicroRNA-145-5p aggravates cell apoptosis and oxidative stress in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

MicroRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p) is expressed in a variety of tumors, but the mechanism underlying miR-145-5p in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is not fully understood. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of miR-145-5p in TSCC. miR-145-5p expression levels in TSCC tissues were analyzed via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. miR-145-5p mimics and inhibitors were transfected into SCC9 and Cal27 cells. The stability and invasion of SCC9 and Cal27 cells were analyzed by performing Transwell assays, while PI and Annexin V were used to detect cell apoptosis. Oxidative stress levels of superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase were measured via ELISA. PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-associated protein expression levels were evaluated using western blotting. miR-145-5p was consistently downregulated in TSCC tissues compared with healthy tissues. miR-145-5p overexpression decreased cell stability and invasion, but promoted cell apoptosis and oxidative stress. In addition, PI3K, AKT and phosphorylated-AKT expression levels were significantly diminished. The results indicated that miR-145-5p overexpression inhibited SCC9 and Cal27 cell stability and invasion, promoted SCC9 and Cal27 cell apoptosis and oxidative stress, and inhibited the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The results of the present study suggested that miR-145 may serve as a molecular marker of TSCC.

Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Potential Molecular Mechanism and Prognostic Signature Based on Immune-Related Genes

BACKGROUND Immune-related genes (IRGs) are closely related to the incidence and progression of tumors, potentially indicating that IRGs play an important role in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS An RNA sequencing dataset containing 123 samples was collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Based on immune-related differentially expressed genes (IRDEGs), a potential molecular mechanism of LSCC was explored through analysis of information in the Gene Ontology (GO) resource and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein-protein interactions (PPIs). A regulatory network of transcriptional regulators and IRDEGs was constructed to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of LSCC at the upstream level. Candidates from IRDEGs for signature were screened via univariate Cox analysis and using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) technique. The IRDEG signature of LSCC was constructed by using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS GO and KEGG analysis showed that IRDEGs may participate in the progression of LSCC through immune-related reactions. PPI analysis demonstrated that, among the IRDEGs in LSCC, the Kininogen 1; C-X-X motif chemokine ligand 10; elastase, neutrophil expressed; and LYZ genes are hub genes in the development of LSCC. At the upstream level, SPI1, SP140, signal transducer and activator of transcription 4, zinc finger E-box binding homeobox, and Ikaros family zinc finger 2 are the hub transcriptional regulators of IRDEGs. The risk score based on the IRDEG signature was able to distinguish prognosis in patients with LSCC and represents an independent prognostic risk factor for LSCC. CONCLUSIONS From the perspective of IRGs, we first constructed an IRDEG signature related to the prognosis of LSCC, which can be used as a novel marker to predict prognosis in patients with LSCC.

miR-145 Inhibits Th9 Cell Differentiation by Suppressing Activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K/HIF-1α Pathway in Malignant Ascites from Liver Cancer

Purpose

Our previous experiments confirmed that T helper type 9 (Th9) cells were involved in the occurrence and development of malignant ascites caused by liver cancer. The current study investigated the mechanism underlying microRNA (miR-145)-mediated inhibition of Th9 cells in an malignant ascites model with liver cancer.

Materials and Methods

CD4+ T cells were induced to differentiate Th9 cells after transfection with miR-145 mimics or negative control. A malignant ascites mouse model was transfected with miR-145agomir or negative control. Th9 cells were detected by flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect the interleukin 9 (IL-9) cytokine and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α). RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-145 and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin/p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase/HIF-1α (PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K/HIF-1α) mRNA. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K/HIF-1α-related proteins.

Results

In vitro experiments showed that miR-145 inhibited Th9 cell polarization, HIF-1α expression, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway activation. In the malignant ascites mouse model, miR-145 also demonstrated inhibitory effects on Th9 cell differentiation through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K/HIF-1α pathway.

Conclusion

miR-145 may inhibit Th9 cell differentiation through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K/HIF-1α pathway. These findings suggest a novel therapeutic target for malignant ascites from liver cancer.

Effect of combination of curcumin and GLUT-1 AS-ODN on radiosensitivity of laryngeal carcinoma through regulating autophagy

BACKGROUND

This study is to explore the role of curcumin and GLUT-1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODN) on autophagy modulation-initiated radiosensitivity.

METHODS

BALB/c mice were employed to establish xenograft model using Tu212 cell. The expression of autophagy- and apoptosis-related proteins was determined by WB. Autophagosome was observed under transmission electron microscope. Apoptosis of tumor tissue were detected by TUNEL staining.

RESULTS

Combinations of curcumin and GLUT-1 AS-ODN with 10 Gy inhibited the tumor growth by inducing apoptosis of laryngeal cancer cells followed with the enhancement of autophagy. 3-MA also had a promotion effect on irradiation-mediated growth inhibition possibly by depressing PI3K and on curcumin/GLUT-1 AS-ODN-mediated growth inhibition potentially by regulating autophagic events. Of note, a de-escalation of radiotherapy dose (5 Gy) along with curcumin, GLUT-1 AS-ODN or 3-MA produced a stronger effect than high dosage of radiotherapy (10 Gy) alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Curcumin and GLUT-1 AS-ODN improve the radiosensitivity of laryngeal carcinoma through regulating autophagy and inducing apoptosis.

The anticancer effects of curcumin via targeting the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that has been considered as a key regulator of a large number of cellular processes, including cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, survival, and motility. Overactivation of mTOR (especially mTORC1) signaling is related to oncogenic cellular processes. Therefore targeting mTORC1 signaling is a new promising strategy in cancer therapy. In this regard, various studies have shown that curcumin, a polyphenol produced from the turmeric rhizome, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer properties. Curcumin may exert its anticancer function, at least in part, by suppressing mTOR-mediated signaling pathway in tumor cells. However, the exact underlying mechanisms by which curcumin blocks the mTORC1 signaling remain unclear. According to literature, curcumin inhibits insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTORC1 pathway which leads to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest via suppression of erythroblastosis virus transcription factor 2 and murine double minute 2 oncoprotein. In addition, activation of unc-51-like kinase 1 by curcumin, as a downstream target of IGF-1/PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 axis, enhances autophagy. Curcumin induces AMP-activated protein kinase, a negative regulator of mTORC1, via inhibition of F0F1-ATPase. Interestingly, curcumin suppresses IκB kinase β, the upstream kinase in mTORC1 pathway. Moreover, evidence revealed that curcumin downregulates the E3-ubiquitin ligases NEDD4, neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated 4. NEDD4 is frequently overexpressed in a wide range of cancers and degrades the phosphatase and tensin homolog, which is a negative regulator of mTORC1. Finally another suggested mechanism is suppression of MAOA/mTORC1/hypoxia-inducible factor 1α signaling pathway by curcumin.

BPA and Nutraceuticals, Simultaneous Effects on Endocrine Functions

Background

Bisphenol A (BPA) is worldwide diffused as a monomer of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics and has recognized activity as Endocrine Disruptor (ED). It is capable to interfere or compete with endogenous hormones in many physiological activities thus having adverse outcomes on health. Diet highly affects health status and in addition to macronutrients, provides a large number of substances with recognized pro-heath activity, and thus called nutraceuticals.

Objective

This mini-review aims at summarizing the possible opposite and simultaneous effects of BPA and nutraceuticals on endocrine functions. The possibility that diet may represent the first instrument to preserve health status against BPA damages has been discussed.

Methods

The screening of recent literature in the field has been carried out.

Results

The therapeutic and anti-oxidant properties of many nutraceuticals may reverse the adverse health effects of BPA.

Conclusion

In vitro and in vivo studies provided evidence that nutraceuticals can preserve the health. Thus, the use of nutraceuticals can be considered a support for clinical treatment. In conclusion, dietary remediation may represent a successful therapeutic approach to maintain and preserve health against BPA damage.

TIP60 up-regulates ΔNp63α to promote cellular proliferation

An estimated 5.4 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer are reported in the United States at an associated cost of $4.8 billion. ΔNp63α, a proto-oncogene in the p53 family of transcription factors, is overexpressed in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and associated with poor prognosis and survival. ΔNp63α elicits its tumorigenic effects in part by promoting cellular proliferation and cell survival. Despite its importance in SCC, the upstream regulation of ΔNp63α is poorly understood. In this study, we identify TIP60 as a novel upstream regulator of ΔNp63α. Using a combination of overexpression, silencing, stable expression, and pharmacological approaches in multiple cell lines, we showed that TIP60 up-regulates ΔNp63α expression. Utilizing cycloheximide treatment, we showed that TIP60 catalytic activity is required for stabilization of ΔNp63α protein levels. We further showed that TIP60 coexpression inhibits ΔNp63α ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Stabilization of ΔNp63α protein was further associated with TIP60-mediated acetylation. Finally, we demonstrated that TIP60-mediated regulation of ΔNp63α increases cellular proliferation by promoting G₂/M progression through MTS assays and flow cytometry. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that TIP60 may contribute to SCC progression by increasing ΔNp63α protein levels, thereby promoting cellular proliferation.

MicroRNA-145 Involves in the Pathogenesis of Renal Vascular Lesions and May Become a Potential Therapeutic Target in Patients with Juvenile Lupus Nephritis

AIMS

The current study was conducted with the central objective of investigating the expression of microRNA-145 (miR-145) in renal vascular lesions (RVLs) in juvenile lupus nephritis (JLN) and its possible mechanism.

METHODS

The clinical data of 49 JLN patients confirmed by renal biopsy were collected and followed by grouping according to the RVLs score after hematoxylin-eosin staining: mild, moderate, and severe groups. In situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of miR-145 in renal vessels which was then being compared among different RVLs groups. Up-LV-miR-145 and LV-miR-NC lentiviral vectors were constructed and transfected into human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs), respectively. After HVSMCs were treated with 10.0 µg/L platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB for 24 h, the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of endothelial cells were detected by MTT, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. Western blot was used to detect expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SM-actin) and osteopontin (OPN).

RESULTS

The expression of miR-145 in renal vascular cells was statistically significant. The higher the inner membrane ratio, the lesser the miR-145 expression. After treatment with PDGF-BB, expression of miR-145 in HVSMCs decreased, proliferation and migration ability enhanced, apoptosis decreased, α-SM-actin decreased, and OPN increased. The proliferation and migration ability of HVSMCs in the LV-miR-145 group suppressed, apoptosis enhanced, α-SM-actin increased, and OPN decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed that miR-145 expression decreased with the increase of vascular damage. miR-145 can inhibit proliferation, migration, and differentiation phenotypic transformation of HVSMCs induced by PDGF-BB. miR-145 may be involved in the pathogenesis of RVLs and may be a new target for treatment of RVLs in lupus nephritis.

The exosome-mediated PI3k/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women worldwide.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical significance of the PI3k/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in cancer tissues and exosomes extracted from vaginal secretions.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein expression of PI3k, Akt, and mTOR in tissue samples from the control group, the CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) group, and the cervical cancer group. qPCR (quantitative PCR) was used to detect the expressions of PI3k, Akt, and mTOR in cervical cancer tissues, the corresponding adjacent tissues, and exosomes extracted from vaginal secretions.

RESULTS

Compared with those of healthy people and CIN, the PI3k/Akt/mTOR protein levels in extracts from tissues were higher in the cervical cancer patients. The PI3k/Akt/mTOR gene and protein levels increased in the cervical cancer tissues with the increase in the degree of malignancy of the cancer. There was no significant difference in PI3k/Akt/mTOR gene expression between the cervical cancer tissues and the exosomes extracted from vaginal secretions, but both were significantly higher than the expressions of the corresponding adjacent tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

The PI3k/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway mediated by exosomes extracted from vaginal secretions may provide candidate diagnostic biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets.

The Role of Herbal Bioactive Components in Mitochondria Function and Cancer Therapy

Mitochondria are highly dynamic double-membrane organelles which play a well-recognized role in ATP production, calcium homeostasis, oxidation-reduction (redox) status, apoptotic cell death, and inflammation. Dysfunction of mitochondria has long been observed in a number of human diseases, including cancer. Targeting mitochondria metabolism in tumors as a cancer therapeutic strategy has attracted much attention for researchers in recent years due to the essential role of mitochondria in cancer cell growth, apoptosis, and progression. On the other hand, a series of studies have indicated that traditional medicinal herbs, including traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), exert their potential anticancer effects as an effective adjunct treatment for alleviating the systemic side effects of conventional cancer therapies, for reducing the risk of recurrence and cancer mortality and for improving the quality of patients' life. An amazing feature of these structurally diverse bioactive components is that majority of them target mitochondria to provoke cancer cell-specific death program. The aim of this review is to summarize the in vitro and in vivo studies about the role of these herbs, especially their bioactive compounds in the modulation of the disturbed mitochondrial function for cancer therapy.

MicroRNA-145 inhibits growth of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Purpose: In this study, we used a nude mouse model of human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) to investigate inhibition of tumor growth by microRNA-145 (miR-145) and the mechanisms underlying this inhibition. Methods: Tumors were established in nude mice by transplantation of the LSCC AMC-HN-8 cell line. Forty-eight nude mice were randomly divided into groups of eight mice each and treated with high (1.0 optical density [OD]) or low (0.5 OD) doses of miR-145, or relevant control treatments. Tumor growth was observed in each group and used to calculate the inhibition rate. Routine pathological and electron microscopic examinations were used to determine tumor apoptosis and proliferation. Changes in levels of miR-145 and PI3K and Akt protein levels were also analyzed. Results: MiR-145 inhibited LSCC growth in a dose-dependent manner, as tumor growth was significantly inhibited in mice injected intratumorally with high-dose miR-145 compared with both the untreated and low-dose miR-145 groups (p<0.05). Pathological examination showed increased tumor necrotic and apoptotic changes in treated mice, which was confirmed by electron microscopy. PI3K and Akt protein expression were significantly lower in tumors treated with high-dose miR-145 group compared with those in the untreated and low-dose miR-145 groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: MiR-145 was associated with inhibited tumor growth in a nude mouse model of LSCC. The underlying mechanism may be inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which regulates tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis and also plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis and proliferation of tumor stem cells. MiR-145 may act as a tumor suppressor gene and is a promising candidate for cancer treatment.

Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells enhanced HK-2 cell autophagy through MicroRNA-145 by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Recent studies have shown that autophagy exhibits a protective role in acute kidney injury (AKI), and the accumulation of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) participates in the progression of kidney diseases. Our previous study indicated that AOPP induced injury in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) through autophagy inhibition. Besides, we found that human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) enhanced autophagy in AOPP-treated RTECs, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We regulated microRNA-145 (miR-145) expression in HK-2 cells (a cell line of RTECs), or co-cultured hUC-MSCs with HK-2 cells and studied the autophagic activity in HK-2 cells to explore the underlying mechanism. Our data demonstrated that upregulated miR-145 increased LC3 II and Beclin 1 levels, decreased p62 level, three autophagy related proteins, inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and increased LC3B-positive staining and the autophagosome number. Furthermore, hUC-MSCs enhanced autophagy and inhibited phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR in AOPP-treated HK-2 cells, which was then partially rescued using miR-145 knockdown in the hUC-MSCs co-culture system. In conclusion, our study showed that hUC-MSCs enhanced autophagy in AOPP-treated HK-2 cells mediated by miR-145 via inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which indicated that hUC-MSCs might serve as a prospective therapy for AKI.

Curcumin: A naturally occurring autophagy modulator

Autophagy is a self-degradative process that plays a pivotal role in several medical conditions associated with infection, cancer, neurodegeneration, aging, and metabolic disorders. Its interplay with cancer development and treatment resistance is complicated and paramount for drug design since an autophagic response can lead to tumor suppression by enhancing cellular integrity and tumorigenesis by improving tumor cell survival. In addition, autophagy denotes the cellular ability of adapting to stress though it may end up in apoptosis activation when cells are exposed to a very powerful stress. Induction of autophagy is a therapeutic option in cancer and many anticancer drugs have been developed to this aim. Curcumin as a hydrophobic polyphenol compound extracted from the known spice turmeric has different pharmacological effects in both in vitro and in vivo models. Many reports exist reporting that curcumin is capable of triggering autophagy in several cancer cells. In this review, we will focus on how curcumin can target autophagy in different cellular settings that may extend our understanding of new pharmacological agents to overcome relevant diseases.

The effect of curcumin on the differentiation, apoptosis and cell cycle of neural stem cells is mediated through inhibiting autophagy by the modulation of Atg7 and p62

Curcumin is an orange-yellow colored, lipophilic polyphenol substance derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa that is widely used in many countries. Curcumin has many reported functions, including antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory effects. Autophagy removes damaged organelles and protein aggregates in the cell. However, whether curcumin mediates its effects on neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation, cell cycle and apoptosis through autophagy is unknown. In the present study, the effects of curcumin and 3‑methyladenine (3MA; an autophagy inhibitor, as a positive control) on the autophagy, differentiation, cell cycle progression and apoptosis of NSCs in different culture states were examined. In order to confirm the role of autophagy in these processes of NSC behavioral change, the protein expression level changes of markers of autophagy, such as autophagy‑related protein 7 (Atg7), light chain (LC)3 and p62, were assessed. When NSCs were in an adherent state, 10 µM curcumin inhibited their differentiation into GFAP+ astrocytes or DCX+ immature neurons, while Atg7 and p62 protein expression were also reduced compared with the untreated control group. When NSCs were in a suspended state, 10 µM curcumin inhibited the cell cycle progression and apoptosis of NSCs as determined by western blotting, which was associated with a decreased autophagic flux and Atg7 expression. In addition, the curcumin‑treated group trended in a similar direction to the 3MA‑treated group. Thus, the data suggest that curcumin can inhibit differentiation, promote cell survival and inhibit cell cycle progression from G1 to S in NSCs, and that these effects are mediated through the regulation of Atg7 and p62.