Curcumin; the major polyphenolic compound, isolated from Curcuma longa L.; loaded polyvinylpyrrolidone K90 fibers were prepared using electrospinning method. Effectiveness was tested on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells with the presence of the endocrine disrupter Bisphenol A. Curcumin-loaded fibers were shown to have good physicochemical properties where excellent morphology of the electrospin fibers were formed. With the presence of 8 nM Bisphenol A, 17.37 mM fibers were found to inhibit proliferation in the cells in a dose-dependent manner. Fibers induced a significant increase in malondialdehyde by Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances Assay compared to the control and this effect was supported by the presence of Bisphenol A. Western blot results indicate Super Oxide Dismutase-1 levels were increased by fiber, while Bisphenol A coincubated group resulted in a decrease. Fibers increased the expression of Estrogen Receptor 2, while Estrogen Receptor 1 expression did not change. Estrogen Receptor 2 expression was increased by coincubation with Bisphenol A; indicating a possible role of Estrogen Receptor 2 in the protective effects of fiber. This study presents that fiber had enhanced bioavailability and solubility with increased anticancer effect in human colon adenocarcinoma cells in presence of Bisphenol A; where involved mechanisms are antioxidant system and estrogen receptor expression.
Keywords: Bisphenol A; Caco-2; curcumin; electrospun fibers; in vitro toxicity.