[Curcumin inhibits growth, induces G1 arrest and apoptosis on human prostatic stromal cells by regulating Bcl-2/Bax].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of curcumin on apoptosis of human prostatic stromal cells. METHOD: Different concentrations of curcumin were added into culture media system to induce apoptosis of human prostatic stromal cells. The apoptosis was detected by MTT assay, flow cytometry, RT-PCR and TUNEL method. RESULT: Curcumin at concentrations of 10-40 micromol x L(-1) could inhibit the proliferation of human prostatic stromal cells in a doseand time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Characteristic apoptosis were confirmed by TUNEL RT-PCR manifest downregulation of Bcl-2/Bax (P < 0.05). Cell cycle was arrested into G1 phase by curcumin. CONCLUSION: Curcumin can induce apoptosis in human prostatic stromal cells by down-regulation of Bcl-2/Bax.