Curcumin and its analogues (PGV-0 and PGV-1) enhance sensitivity of resistant MCF-7 cells to doxorubicin through inhibition of HER2 and NF-kB activation

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(1):179-84. doi: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.1.179.

Abstract

Chemoresistance of breast cancer to doxorubicin is mediated mainly through activation of NF-kB and over expression of HER2. Curcumin and its analogues (PGV-0 and PGV-1) exert cytotoxic effects on T47D breast cancer cells. Suppression of NF-kB activation is suggested to contribute to this activity. The present study aimed to explore the effects of curcumin, PGV-0, and PGV-1 singly and in combination with doxorubicin on MCF-7/Dox cells featuring over-expression of HER2. In MTT assays, curcumin, PGV-0, and PGV-1 showed cytotoxicity effects against MCF-7/Dox with IC50 values of 80 μM, 21 μM, and 82 μM respectively. These compounds increased MCF-7/Dox sensitivity to doxorubicin. Cell cycle distribution analysis exhibited that the combination of curcumin and its analogues with Dox increased sub G-1 cell populations. Curcumin and PGV-1 but not PGV-0 decreased localization of p65 into the nucleus induced by Dox, indicating that activation of NF- kB was inhibited. Molecular docking of curcumin, PGV-0, and PGV-1 demonstrated high affinity to HER2 at ATP binding site. This interaction were directly comparable with those of ATP and lapatinib. These findings suggested that curcumin, PGV-0 and PGV-1 enhance the Dox cytotoxicity to MCF-7 cells through inhibition of HER2 activity and NF-kB activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Curcumin / analogs & derivatives
  • Curcumin / pharmacology*
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects*
  • G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism

Substances

  • 2- ((4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)methylidene)-5-((3-methoxy-4,5-dimethylphenyl)methylidene)cyclopentan-1-one
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • NF-kappa B
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • pentagamavunon-0
  • Doxorubicin
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Curcumin