Activation of microbubbles by low-intensity pulsed ultrasound enhances the cytotoxicity of curcumin involving apoptosis induction and cell motility inhibition in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells

Yixiang Li; Pan Wang; Xiyang Chen; Jianmin Hu; Yichen Liu; Xiaobing Wang; Quanhong Liu

doi:10.1016/j.ultsonch.2016.04.012

Activation of microbubbles by low-intensity pulsed ultrasound enhances the cytotoxicity of curcumin involving apoptosis induction and cell motility inhibition in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells

Ultrason Sonochem. 2016 Nov:33:26-36. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2016.04.012. Epub 2016 Apr 11.

Authors

Yixiang Li¹, Pan Wang¹, Xiyang Chen¹, Jianmin Hu¹, Yichen Liu¹, Xiaobing Wang², Quanhong Liu³

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Ministry of Education, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, China.
² Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Ministry of Education, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, China. Electronic address: wangxiaobing@snnu.edu.cn.
³ Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Ministry of Education, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, China. Electronic address: lshaof@snnu.edu.cn.

PMID: 27245953
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2016.04.012

Abstract

Ultrasound and microbubbles-mediated drug delivery has become a promising strategy to promote drug delivery and its therapeutic efficacy. The aim of this research was to assess the effects of microbubbles (MBs)-combined low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LPUS) on the delivery and cytotoxicity of curcumin (Cur) to human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Under the experimental condition, MBs raised the level of acoustic cavitation and enhanced plasma membrane permeability; and cellular uptake of Cur was notably improved by LPUS-MBs treatment, aggravating Cur-induced MDA-MB-231 cells death. The combined treatment markedly caused more obvious changes of cell morphology, F-actin cytoskeleton damage and cell migration inhibition. Our results demonstrated that combination of MBs and LPUS may be an efficient strategy for improving anti-tumor effect of Cur, suggesting a potential effective method for antineoplastic therapy.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Curcumin; Microbubbles; Ultrasound.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
Apoptosis / drug effects*
Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Cell Movement
Curcumin / pharmacology*
Humans
Microbubbles*
Ultrasonic Waves*

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
Curcumin