Evaluation of the effect of curcumin on increasing the sensitivity to Paclitaxel through oxidative DNA damage in MG-63 cancer cells

Abstract

Recently, various studies have focused on the therapeutic potential of curcumin, a natural polyphenol, in various human malignancies, including osteosarcoma. However, the underlying mechanisms in curcumin-mediated anticancer effects are not yet fully understood. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of curcumin on paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in MG-63 cells. Methods MG-63 cells were treated with paclitaxel, curcumin, and a combination of both, and cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. γ-H2AX protein expression, as an important marker of DNA damage, was assessed using Western blotting. ELISA method was used to measure 8-oxo-dG. Apoptosis was also assessed by flow cytometry.

Results Paclitaxel resulted in significant inhibition of cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. The combination of curcumin and paclitaxel resulted in significant inhibition of proliferation compared to single treatments (P <0.05). Curcumin also induced apoptosis by increasing γ-H2AX expression as well as increasing 8-oxo-dG levels. In addition, curcumin increased paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in MG-63 cells.