The Apoptotic Activity of Curcumin Against Oral Cancer Cells Without Affecting Normal Cells in Comparison to...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Chemotherapy is a primary cancer treatment but causes significant side effects.
• Bioactive compounds offer alternative cancer therapies with potentially fewer adverse effects on normal cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anti-cancer activity and selectivity of curcumin (CUR) and paclitaxel (PTX) on oral cancer cells (TSCCF) and normal human gingival fibroblasts (HGF).
• To elucidate the mechanisms of action, including apoptosis, necrosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

Main Methods:

• Cell viability assays (MTT) were performed on TSCCF and HGF cell lines.
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to observe cellular morphology.
• Apoptosis and necrosis were quantified using flow cytometry.
• Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured using DCFH-DA.
• Chemical structure of CUR was confirmed using 1H NMR.

Main Results:

• CUR and PTX significantly inhibited TSCCF cell viability at concentrations of 13.85 µg/mL and 8.17 µg/mL, respectively, with minimal impact on HGF cells.
• SEM revealed distinct morphological changes in TSCCF cells treated with CUR and PTX.
• CUR induced 58.8% necrosis in TSCCF cells, while PTX induced 39% necrosis, compared to 2.99% in controls.
• PTX treatment resulted in the highest early and late apoptosis in normal HGF cells.
• Neither CUR nor PTX significantly stimulated ROS production in either cell line.

Conclusions:

• CUR demonstrates significant specificity towards oral cancer cells (TSCCF) by inducing apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner, leading to reduced cell viability without affecting normal HGF cells.
• The cytotoxic effects of CUR and PTX on TSCCF cells are not mediated through the ROS pathway.
• These findings highlight the potential of CUR as a targeted oral cancer therapeutic agent.