Journal article
Low, plasma level‑informed native curcumin concentrations fail to induce cell death in human lung and colorectal cancer cells
Pharmaceutical biology, Vol.64(1), pp.471-486
12/2026
PMID: 41858052
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
Metrics
10 File views/ downloads
9 Record Views
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: SDGs from InCites
Abstract
Background/objectives: Curcumin, a dietary polyphenol derived from turmeric, has been widely studied for its anti-cancer properties, yet its effects at clinically relevant concentrations remain unclear. This study investigates the anti-cancer effects of curcumin at low in vitro concentrations selected based on reported plasma ranges using in vitro lung and CRC models, with a focus on underlying cellular mechanisms.
Methods: Curcumin was tested at 4, 10, 20, and 50 µg/mL in two CRC cell lines (Caco-2 and HT29) and two lung cancer cell lines (A549 and H460).
Results: MTS assays showed that at a low concentration of Curcumin 4 µg/mL, cell viability remained above 100% across all cell lines (A549: 102.1%, H460: 101.1%, Caco-2: 103.6%, HT29: 104.9%, n = 3, p > 0.05) and had no significant effect on cell death. Immunofluorescence analysis showed increased nuclear Cyclin D1 levels at 4 µg/mL curcumin in H460 and HT29 cells (p < 0.001), and no change in Caco-2 cells (p = 0.17), and a significant reduction in A549 cells (p < 0.001), suggesting promotion of cell cycle progression in H460 and HT29 cells only. Western blotting analysis showed higher levels of procaspase-3 without evidence of cleavage at 4 µg/mL, indicating the absence of apoptosis. A reduction in procaspase 3 levels were observed at 20 µg/mL (Caco-2, p < 0.05) and 50 µg/mL (H460, p < 0.05; A549, and HT29, p > 0.05).
Conclusions: These findings suggest that at low. plasma level-informed concentrations, curcumin may support cancer cell survival rather than induce cytotoxicity. This study highlights the need for further pre-clinical evaluation of polyphenols at clinically relevant concentrations.
Details
- Title
- Low, plasma level‑informed native curcumin concentrations fail to induce cell death in human lung and colorectal cancer cells
- Creators
- Ilma Imtiaz - Southern Cross UniversityJanet Schloss - Southern Cross UniversityAndrea Bugarcic - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Pharmaceutical biology, Vol.64(1), pp.471-486
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Number of pages
- 16
- Identifiers
- 991013369945702368
- Copyright
- © 2026 the author(s).
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article