[Curcumin inhibited rat colorectal carcinogenesis by activating PPAR-γ: an experimental study]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pharmacology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Colorectal cancer remains a significant global health challenge.
• Chemoprevention offers a promising strategy to mitigate cancer development.
• Curcumin, a natural compound, has shown potential anti-cancer properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the chemopreventive efficacy of curcumin against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induced colorectal carcinogenesis in rats.
• To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, focusing on the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ).

Main Methods:

• A colorectal cancer model was established in Wistar rats using DMH injection.
• Curcumin's effect on tumor incidence and inhibition rate was assessed.
• Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were employed to analyze PPARγ expression in colon tissues and HT-29 cells.
• In vitro proliferation of HT-29 cells treated with curcumin was evaluated using MTT assays.

Main Results:

• Curcumin significantly reduced tumor incidence in DMH-treated rats (58.82% vs. 80.00%).
• Curcumin demonstrated a 26.46% inhibition rate against colorectal carcinoma.
• Curcumin treatment upregulated PPARγ expression in both in vivo and in vitro models.
• Curcumin inhibited HT-29 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Conclusions:

• Curcumin exhibits significant chemopreventive effects on DMH-induced colorectal carcinogenesis.
• Curcumin's anti-cancer activity may be mediated through the activation of the PPARγ signaling pathway.
• Curcumin effectively inhibits the proliferation of HT-29 colorectal cancer cells in vitro.