BACKGROUND: Curcumin is a polyphenol compound extracted from the root of the herb Curcuma longa, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Worldwide, colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the effects of increasing concentrations of curcumin on cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis of SW620 human colonic adenocarcinoma cells cultured in vitro, and the signaling pathways involved.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: SW620 human colonic adenocarcinoma cells were cultured in curcumin at concentrations of 0, 4, 8, 16, and 32 μmol/l for 48 hours. Specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into SW620 cells to silence the expression of caudal type homeobox-2 (CDX2). Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. Flow cytometry evaluated cell apoptosis. Western blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to assess the nuclear translocation of b-catenin and the activation of Wnt signaling.

RESULTS: Curcumin reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis of SW620 human colonic adenocarcinoma cells in a dose-dependent way, and increased the expression of CDX2 but decreased β-catenin nuclear translocation and the expression of Wnt3a, c-Myc, survivin, and cyclin D1. CDX2 silencing significantly reduced the effects of curcumin on SW620 human colonic adenocarcinoma cells. The nuclear translocation of β-catenin, and expression levels of Wnt3a, c-Myc, survivin, and cyclin D1 were significantly higher in CDX2-silenced SW620 cells.

CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis in SW620 human colonic adenocarcinoma cells by restoring CDX2, which inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Keywords: Colorectal Neoplasms, Curcumin