Curcumin inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression through down-regulating the circNRIP1/miR-532-3p/AKT...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Curcumin exhibits anti-cancer properties across various tumors.
• The specific anti-tumor mechanisms of curcumin in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms of curcumin in esophageal cancer.
• To elucidate the role of circNRIP1 in ESCC progression and its interaction with curcumin treatment.

Main Methods:

• In vitro and in vivo experiments assessing curcumin's effects on ESCC cell activity, proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis.
• Analysis of circNRIP1 expression in ESCC tissues and cells.
• Investigating the regulatory pathway involving circNRIP1, miR-532-3p, and AKT3.

Main Results:

• Curcumin dose-dependently inhibited ESCC cell activity, proliferation, and invasion, while promoting apoptosis.
• Increased circNRIP1 expression was observed in ESCC tissues and cells, correlating with malignancy.
• Curcumin suppressed circNRIP1 expression, and circNRIP1 overexpression reversed curcumin's inhibitory effects, highlighting its oncogenic role.
• Curcumin upregulated miR-532-3p, inhibiting AKT phosphorylation and pathway activation, mediated by circNRIP1.

Conclusions:

• Curcumin acts as a potent inhibitor of ESCC growth.
• The circNRIP1/miR-532-3p/AKT pathway is a key mechanism through which curcumin exerts its anti-tumor effects in ESCC.
• This study provides novel insights into curcumin's anti-cancer mechanisms against ESCC, suggesting potential therapeutic applications.