Curcumin promotes the apoptosis of human endometrial carcinoma cells by downregulating the expression of androgen receptor through Wnt signal pathway.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to explore the effect ofcurcumin on androgen receptor (AR) expression in endometrial carcinoma cells, as well as the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endometrial carcinoma cells were treated with curcumin (10, 50, and 100 micromol/l) for 12, 24, and 48 hours. Their growth curves were drawn using MTT assays and their apoptotic rates were determined using flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expression of AR was detected using PCR and that of the Wnt signal related nucleopro- tein beta-cantenin was observed using western blot analysis. The influence of beta-cantenin on the action of curcumin was observed. RESULTS: Curcumin downregulated the proliferation and apoptosis of human endometrial carcinoma cells in concentration and time-dependent manners. It downregulated the expression of AR and beta-cantenin in the cells. rWnt3a partially cancelled the effects of curcumin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human endometrial carcinoma cells as well as the AR expression-downregulating effect of curcumin. CONCLUSION: Curcumin inhibits the proliferation and apoptosis of human endometrial carcinoma cells by downregulating their AR expression through the Wnt signal pathway.