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Updated: May 4, 2026
Impedance-based Real-time Measurement of Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion
Published on: April 2, 2020
[Curcumin inhibits HeLa cell invasion and migration by decreasing inducible nitric oxide synthase]
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an 710004, China.
Objective:
To investigate the inhibitory effects of curcumin against HeLa cell invasion and migration and explore the underlying mechanisms.
Methods:
HeLa cells were exposed to curcumin treatment at the concentrations of 0, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 µmol/L for 24 h. MTT and TUNEL assays were used to assess the cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis, respectively. Transwell assay was used to evaluate the invasiveness and migration of the treated cells, and RT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the changes in the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and MMP-9 and E-cad, the 2 markers of cell invasion and migration, were detected by Western blotting. The capacity of NO production in HeLa cells was measured by Griess method.
Results:
Curcumin inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells by inducing cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Curcumin inhibited the invasion and migration of HeLa cells by increasing E-cad expression and decreasing MMP-9 expression, and also decreased the expression level of iNOS and NO production in the cells.
Conclusion:
Curcumin inhibits the invasion and migration of HeLa cells by decreasing the expression of iNOS.
Insights
Curcumin effectively inhibits HeLa cell invasion and migration by inducing apoptosis and reducing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. This study explores curcumin
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Cervical cancer remains a significant global health challenge.
- Understanding molecular mechanisms of cancer cell invasion and migration is crucial for developing effective therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the inhibitory effects of curcumin on HeLa cell invasion and migration.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of curcumin's action.
Main Methods:
- HeLa cells were treated with varying concentrations of curcumin.
- Cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration were assessed using MTT, TUNEL, and Transwell assays.
- Expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), MMP-9, and E-cad were analyzed via RT-PCR and Western blotting. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured using the Griess method.
Main Results:
- Curcumin demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation through apoptosis induction.
- Curcumin significantly reduced HeLa cell invasion and migration.
- These effects were associated with increased E-cad expression, decreased MMP-9 expression, and reduced iNOS and NO levels.
Conclusions:
- Curcumin exhibits potent anti-invasive and anti-migratory properties against HeLa cells.
- The mechanism involves the downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression.
- Curcumin represents a potential therapeutic agent for cervical cancer treatment.
