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 American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 
Vol.8, Issue 5; September-October 2023; 

ISSN: 2994-0524 

Impact Factor: 6.14 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

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HARNESSING CURCUMIN'S THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL IN CANCER 

TREATMENT" 

 

 
1Dr. Xin Li and 2Dr. Wei Zhang 

1Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712000, China 
2Nanzheng District People's Hospital, Hanzhong, Shaanxi, 723100, China 

 

Abstract: Curcumin, a bioactive compound derived from various Zingiberaceae plants, has garnered increasing 

attention for its potential in cancer therapy. This review explores the multifaceted role of curcumin in cancer 

treatment, encompassing its anti-tumor effects, impact on apoptosis induction, regulation of signaling pathways, 

anti-angiogenic properties, and enhanced chemosensitivity. Beyond its medicinal applications, curcuminoids are 

also utilized as food pigments, making curcumin a versatile and cost-effective option with fewer adverse reactions 

compared to conventional Western medicine. 

Keywords: Curcumin, cancer therapy, anti-tumor effects, apoptosis, signaling pathways, angiogenesis, 

chemosensitivity, traditional Chinese medicine, tumor microenvironment. 

 

 

Introduction  

Curcumincuma longa is a Curcumincuma genus of Zingiberaceae. It grows widely in southwest of China[1]. The 

earliest recorded medicine of Curcumincuma longa in our country's Tang Bencao (Materia Medica of the Tang 

Dynasty) was warm in nature, bitter and spicy in taste, and returned to the spleen and liver meridians. It was said 

that "the main heart knot accumulation, cystic disease, qi breaking blood, in addition to wind and heat, eliminate 

carbunction and swelling" [2]. Curcumin is an active compound extracted from the dried rhizome of Zingiberaceae 

plants such as Curcumincuma longa, Zedoary turmeric, and Curcumincuma vulgare [3]. The molecular formula of 

Curcumin was C21H20O6 and the molecular weight was 368.4 g/mol. The 2D and 3D structures of Curcumin 

were downloaded from Pubchem website. See Figure 1. Kuttan R et al. [4] first proposed that Curcumin could be 

used in anti-tumor therapy in 1985. More and more studies have confirmed that Curcumin plays an anti-tumor 

role by inducing tumor cell apoptosis, regulating tumor cell growth signal transduction pathway, inhibiting tumor 

angiogenesis and increasing the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy [5-7]. In addition to medicinal use, 

Curcuminoids are also used as food pigments and are one of the main ingredients of Curcuminry [8]. Compared 

with western medicine, it is cheap and safe, and has fewer adverse reactions. It has broad prospects in the treatment 

and prevention of tumor diseases [9].  

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 American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 
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Figure 1: 2D structure of the Curcumin compound and 3D structure of the Curcumin compound According to the 

latest global cancer data in 2020 released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the 

World Health Organization, the number of new cancer cases and cancer deaths in China ranks first in the world 
[10]. Tumor refers to the uncontrolled growth or even infinite abnormal proliferation of local tissues in the body 

under different carcinogenic conditions, which is the local manifestation of systemic diseases. Traditional Chinese 

medicine (TCM) is one of the important means of tumor treatment in China. Its main advantage lies in improving 

the internal environment of the body, especially in remodeling the tumor-related microenvironment [11]. 

Traditional Chinese medicine experts put forward that "when the positive qi is insufficient, the evil qi is behind", 

indicating that the basic pathogenesis of malignant tumors is a continuous struggle between "positive deficiency" 

and "evil poison" [12]. TCM improves the body's immune function and inhibits the proliferation and migration of 

cancer cells, thereby reducing the growth, metastasis and reCurcuminrence of tumor cells and preventing the 

ocCurcuminrence of tumors [13]. Through a large number of literature studies, it has been confirmed that Curcumin 

is particularly effective in the treatment of tumors, which is summarized as follows.  

1. Curcumin and nasopharyngeal carcinoma   

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant epithelial tumor originating from the nasopharynx, most of 

which is geographically located in Southeast Asia, while China is one of the countries with the highest incidence 

and mortality. Lin et al. [14] confirmed that Curcumin can significantly inhibit the growth of human poorly 

differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-1, and S phase arrest prevents cells from entering the next 

proliferation cycle. By affecting the distribution of cell cycle, it affects the metabolism and function of cells, so 

as to achieve the purpose of inhibiting cell proliferation. Wang et al. [15] found that the high expression of PI3K 

and Akt phosphorylation levels in CNE-2Z cells were effectively inhibited after Curcumin intervention, 

suggesting that inhibition of endogenous PI3K/Akt pathway is one of the mechanisms of Curcumin anti-tumor. 

Tiam1 is a gene related to tumor invasion and metastasis. It can specifically activate the GTPase activity of Rho 

protein family, and its downstream effector is Rac1, an important member of Rho protein family. "Cellular 

endocytosis and membrane transport, cell migration, adhesion, invasion, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis." Chen et 

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al. [16] confirmed that Tiam1 was highly expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues by 

immunohistochemistry, and the expression of Tiam1 protein was determined by treating nasopharyngeal 

carcinoma cells with different concentrations of Curcumin. The results suggested that with the increase of 

Curcumin concentration, the expression of Tiam1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma 5-8F cells decreased. The 

migration and invasion of cells were inhibited, further indicating that Curcumin may inhibit the invasion of NPC 

by inhibiting the expression of invasion related gene Tiam1.  

2. Curcumin and lung cancer   

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the world with a high mortality rate. The incidence of lung 

cancer is closely related to the maturity of the tobacco epidemic [10]. Jin et al. [17] found that Curcumin treatment 

of human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 could inhibit cell proliferation, induce cell apoptosis and increase 

caspase-3 activity. Further studies showed that Curcumin inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of 

human non-small cell lung cancer cells by up-regulating miR-1925p and inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. 

Chen et al. [18] found that after the treatment of A549 cells with Curcumin, the inhibition of cell viability increased 

and the proportion of apoptotic cells increased gradually with the increase of the concentration, and the inhibition 

of lung cancer cells was achieved by reducing the Akt signaling pathway in lung cancer cells. Xu et al. [19] found 

that neutrophil elastase plays an important role in regulating lung tumor proliferation in the inflammatory 

microenvironment of A549 cells. Curcumin can inhibit tumor proliferation induced by neutrophil elastase. 

Curcumin can also inhibit the growth of cancer cells by up-regulating the expression levels of P53 and P21 genes 

in A549 cells, down-regulating the expression levels of PC-NA and IF4E genes, and initiating the 

P53/P21/PCNA/ IF4E signaling pathway [20-21]. Li et al. [22] found that when A549 cells were treated with different 

concentrations of Curcumin for 24 h, the expression level of MMP-9 was significantly decreased and the level of 

TIMP-1 was significantly increased with the increase of concentration. Further studies showed that Curcumin 

inhibited the expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p44/42) in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the 

expression of non-phosphorylated ERK1 did not change significantly, indicating that Curcumin promoted the 

apoptosis of A549 cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 signaling pathway.  

3. Curcumin and gastric cancer   

Gastric cancer is a highly malignant tumor, ranking fifth in morbidity and fourth in mortality in the world [10]. 

Early endoscopic radical resection can Curcumine more than 90% of gastric cancer, but chemotherapy and 

radiotherapy are not effective for advanced gastric cancer. It has been reported that Curcumin can inhibit the 

proliferation of gastric cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. In vitro, Curcumin can induce apoptosis of gastric 

cancer cells by promoting the disintegration of MMP, and MMP plays an important role in initiating the 

mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway [23]. Kruppel-like factor 4(KLF4) is a transcription factor that plays 

an important role in cell development and progression. Curcumin combined with KLF4 could block the cell cycle 

of BGC-823 cells in G1 phase. Western blot showed that the expression levels of p-PI3K and cyclinD1 were 

increased, and the expression of p-ERK was decreased. These results indicated that the combination of Curcumin 

and KLF4 could inhibit the proliferation of human BGC-823 cells by regulating PI3K/Akt and ERK/MAPK 

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pathways [24]. Curcumin can inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of gastric cancer cells by inducing cell 

cycle arrest in G2/ M phase, down-regulating the expression of glycolytic enzymes and effectively inhibiting the 

miR21 /PTEN/Akt molecular pathway [25]. Curcumin induces apoptosis of gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo 

in conjunction with chemotherapy drugs such as 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin through Bcl/Baxcaspase8, 9-

caspase3 pathway [26]. Yang et al. [27] conducted a clinical study on 56 patients with advanced gastric cancer, and 

the results showed that Curcumin adjuvant chemotherapy drugs could improve the therapeutic effect of patients 

with advanced gastric cancer, reduce the adverse reactions of chemotherapy, and improve the tolerance of patients 

compared with the chemotherapy group.  

4. Curcumin and liver cancer   

Liver cancer ranks fifth in the global incidence and is the third leading cause of cancer death. In China, the 

infection rate of hepatitis B virus is the most important risk factor, and reducing the exposure to alcohol and 

aflatoxin can reduce the incidence [10]. The expression of mirNA-29 and mirNA-30 family members is elevated 

in normal liver and breast cancer liver metastasis models, and multiple members of each miRNA family directly 

target and inhibit the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) /IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling axis, which is 

associated with reduced cancer progression and metastasis [28]. Chen Caiping et al. [29] found that the inhibition 

rate of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells was the best after 72 hours of culture, and Curcumin may regulate 

the biological process of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by increasing the expression of miRNA-29 and reducing 

the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). miRNA-21-5 promotes the growth, migration and 

invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells by targeting downstream target genes, such as FASLG, 

suppressor of cytokine signaling 6(SOCS6) and Kruppel-like transcription factor 5(KLF5) [30]. Studies have 

shown that Curcumin can down-regulate the expression of miRNA-21, up-regulate the expression of TIMP3, and 

inhibit the transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)/recombinant SMAD family member 3(SMAD3) signaling 

pathway, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of HepG2 and HCC LM3 cells [31]. In addition, Curcumin can also 

reduce the expression of miRNA-21-5p and increase SOX6 expression to inhibit the proliferation, migration and 

invasion of HCC cells [32].  

5. Curcumin and colorectal cancer   

The incidence of colorectal cancer is the third in the world, and the mortality rate is the second due to its insidious 

early stage, easy reCurcuminrence and metastasis in the late stage [10]. Fang Li [33] et al. found that Curcumin 

could inhibit the expression of Cyclin D1 in human colon cancer HT-29 cells in a dose - and time-dependent 

manner. In addition, Curcumin inhibited the activation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) in colon cancer cells, 

resulting in the overexpression of miR-21 gene binding to the miR-21 promoter. Under the regulation of miR-21, 

colon cancer cell cycle was arrested in G2/M phase. Thereby inhibiting the abnormal and rapid proliferation of 

tumor cells .In the study of Curcumin-induced apoptosis of tumor cells, Curcumin can effectively disturb the 

balance of mitochondrial membrane potential, enhance the inhibition of Bcl-xL protein, and regulate cell 

apoptosis [34]. Luo Qiang [35] treated human colon cancer SW620 cells cultured in vitro with different 

concentrations of Curcumin for 24 h, and found that the proliferation ability of tumor cells was significantly 

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inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. At the same time, SW620 cells were regulated by Bcl-2 signaling pathway 

and underwent apoptosis. Curcumin was applied to colon cancer SW480 cells cultured in vitro. RT-qP CR and 

Western blot experiments showed that Curcumin could regulate the apoptosis of colon cancer SW480 cells by 

recruiting Fas death receptor and activating downstream signals of death receptor pathway [36]. Zhang et al. [37] 

found that Curcumin significantly inhibited the proliferation of colon cancer SW620 cells and upregulated the 

expression of NKD2 in colorectal cancer cells and xenografts, leading to the downregulation of key markers in 

Wnt signaling. In addition, Curcumin inhibited the progression of epithelialmesenchymal transition (ETM) 

through the overexpression of E-cadherin and the down-regulation of vimentin.  

6. Curcumin and gynecologic tumors   

6.1. Ovarian cancer   

Ovarian cancer is a common malignant tumor in the female reproductive system with high mortality and poor 

prognosis. SEO et al. [38] found that an abnormal increase in the expression level of muscle/endoplasmic reticulum 

calcium atpase (SERCA), which regulates Ca (2+) homeostasis, was observed in ovarian cancer. Curcumin 

induced apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells in a concentration - and time-dependent manner, and the solute Ca (2+) 

flux in ovarian cancer cells was significant (15μM). It was further confirmed that inhibition of SERCA activity 

by Curcumin could disrupt Ca (2+) homeostasis, thereby promoting apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. Liu et al. 
[39] found that Curcumin significantly reduced cell viability and induced apoptotic cell death in human ovarian 

cancer cell lines SK-OV-3 and A2780, and induced protective autophagy in human ovarian cancer cells by 

inhibiting the AKT/mTOR/p70S6K pathway. WEIR et al. [40] found that Curcumin can inhibit the proliferation 

of cisplatin-resistant (CR) and sensitive (CS) human ovarian cancer cells, activate caspase-2 and PARP 

degradation to enhance p53 phosphorylation and apoptosis, thereby inducing G (3) /M phase cell cycle arrest in 

CR cells.  

6.2. Cervical cancer   

Cervical cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in 

women [10]. Cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection have a great correlation. Curcumin can 

significantly down-regulate the expression of HPV E6 mRNA in HeLa cells of cervical cancer, so as to play an 

anti-HPV effect, and promote the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and damage DNA [41]. By 

inhibiting the activity of PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Curcumin can induce autophagy and inhibit the proliferation of 

cervical cancer SIHA cells, up-regulate the expression of tumor suppressor genes p53, p21 and p27, and secrete 

IFN-γ [42].  

7. Curcumin and esophageal cancer   

The incidence of esophageal cancer ranks the seventh in the world, and the overall mortality ranks the sixth [10]. 

China is a high-incidence area of esophageal cancer, and pickled vegetable consumption, smoking, alcohol 

consumption, low intake of fruits and vegetables are all its risk factors [43]. Li et al [44]. found that Curcumin 

inhibited the proliferation of esophageal cancer Ec109 cells by up-regulating the expression of PTEN, GSK3β 

and Caspase 3 and inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Lin et al. [45] found that Curcumin inhibited the 

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formation of Rac1-PI3K-Akt signaling complex related to lipid rafts in EC cells, and inhibited the invasion of EC 

cells induced by stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) through the localization of lipid rafts on the cell surface 

and the enhancement of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) promoter activity. Chen et al. [46] confirmed that 

after 48 hours of intervention with different concentrations of Curcumin, the cell cycle of esophageal cancer Eca-

109 cells changed significantly, the proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase decreased significantly, and the proportion 

of cells in G2/M phase increased significantly. These results indicated that Curcumin could induce G2/M phase 

arrest, inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of Eca-109 cells.  

8. Curcumin and other tumors   

Zhao et al. [47] found that Curcumin inhibited the growth of mouse prostate cancer xenografts in vivo and promoted 

the apoptosis of prostate LNCaP cells by inhibiting JNK pathway in vitro. Liu et al. [48] confirmed that Curcumin 

treatment of prostate cancer cell lines Du44 and 133RV145 inhibited the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells 

in vitro, as well as cell cycle arrest. Gong et al. [49] found that the viability of human renal cell adenocarcinoma 

ACHN cells was inhibited and the number of apoptosis increased after Curcumin treatment. The results in C57BL 

/ 6 nude mice verified that the tumor size, weight and volume were also significantly inhibited after Curcumin 

treatment, and confirmed that the expression of AKT/mTOR protein in the treatment group was significantly 

reduced, while autophagyrelated proteins were significantly increased. These results indicate that Curcumin plays 

a role in antirenal cell carcinoma through AKT/mTOR pathway. Zhou et al. [50] found that Curcumin had stronger 

cytotoxic activity on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, and flavin inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT, 

PRAS70, 6E-BP1, P27S2K, RAF-5 and p1 in AML cell lines (ML-4 and OCI-AML1) in a dosedependent manner. 

Regulation of cell cycle D21 leads to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in ML-5 and OCI-AML79 cells. Hu et al. [51] 

found that Curcumin showed anti-proliferation and colony formation inhibitory activities in the treatment of 

human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, and it also inhibited the migration of MDA-MB-231 

cells. In addition, Curcumin downregulated the mRNA expression of Vimentin, Fibroniconin and β-catenin, and 

upregulated the mRNA expression level of Ecadherin, indicating that the inhibitory effect of Curcumin on breast 

cancer cells was closely related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Shi et al. [52] found that Curcumin 

can inhibit the cell proliferation of bladder cancer cells T24 and 5637, and reduce the migration and invasion 

ability of T24 and 5637 cells by regulating the expression of β-catenin and reversing EMT. BHARTI et al. [53] 

found that the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) plays a central role in cell survival and 

proliferation of human multiple myeloma (MM), and that Curcumin could down-regulate the expression of NF-

kappaB-regulated gene products, including IkappaBalpha, Bcl-2, and Bcl-2. Bcl-x (L) and cyclin D1. This 

resulted in the arrest of the G (1) /S phase of the MM cell cycle and effectively inhibited the proliferation of MM 

cells. Thus, it provides a molecular basis for the use of Curcumin in the treatment of MM patients.  

9. Conclusion and Outlook   

In summary, more and more studies have shown that the anti-tumor activity of Curcumin involves the regulation 

of a variety of cell signaling pathways, and acts on a variety of molecular targets, including transcription factors, 

cytokines, growth factors and their receptors, enzymes, inflammatory factors, and genes regulating cell 

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proliferation and apoptosis. The above research results let us see the benefits of Curcumin in the treatment of 

animal and human tumors, but it has not yet entered the clinical antiexperiment. It is still necessary to develop 

Curcumin and its derivatives and new dosage forms to improve its absorption and metabolic characteristics, in 

order to find a more appropriate dose or dosage form, give precise anti-tumor treatment for specific tumors, and 

improve the efficacy. It has become a clinically effective tumor treatment drug.  

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