[Reversing paclitaxel-resistance of SKOV3-TR30 cell line by curcumin]

To explore the effects of curcumin on paclitaxel resistance reversal of SKOV3-TR30 cell line and its mechanism.

The (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) MTT assay was performed to determine the sensitivity of curcumin-treated SKOV3-TR30 cells to paclitaxel. The cell cycle distribution of SKOV3-TR30 was analyzed by flow cytometry. And the expression level of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) protein was detected by Western blot.

IC(50) of paclitaxel in SKOV3-TR30 decreased with a treatment of curcumin. And the reversal times was 3.0. Flow cytometric analysis of curcumin-treated SKOV3-TR30 cells demonstrated a distinct G(2)-M phase block (78.5 ± 6.4)% after a 12-hour treatment of paclitaxel versus SKOV3-TR30 cells without curcumin. There was a lack of G(2)-M phase arrest (only 27.0% ± 2.9%). The expression of GSK-3 protein in SKOV3-TR30 cells decreased with the 12 and 24-hour treatments of curcumin.

Curcumin can partially reverse the paclitaxel-resistance of SKOV3-TR30 cells through a down-regulation of GSK-3.