Curcumin-Induced Global Profiling of Transcriptomes in Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Background Curcumin, one of the promising candidates for supplementary therapy in cancer treatment, has been demonstrated by numerous preclinical and clinical evidence to be beneficial in treating various cancers. Apart from the critical role in a deluge of pathological processes, some mRNAs, in particular, microRNAs (miRNAs), are also involved in the anti-tumor activity. Therefore, our research focused on the possible effects of curcumin on small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells and drew a comprehensive transcriptomes profile by high throughput sequencing to understand the molecular mechanism of curcumin as an anti-tumor agent. Methods First, we calculated the apoptosis rate of H446 cells (a human SCLC cell line) cultured with curcumin. The high output sequencing uncovered the altered expression profile of genes and miRNAs. KEGG analysis selected the potential signal pathway associated with the antiproliferative property of curcumin. Finally, miRNAs significantly changed, as well as the regulatory roles of those miRNAs in cell apoptosis were determined. Result The apoptosis rate of H446 cells increased under the elevated concentration of curcumin treatment. And cell cycle-related genes downregulated in the curcumin-treated cells. Besides, miRNA-548ah-5p of a high level acted as a negative role in the anticarcinogenic activity of curcumin. Conclusion Our findings not only enriched the understanding of anti-tumor activity initiated by curcumin through figuring out the downregulated cell cycle-related pathways but also shed light on its novel therapeutic application.

Automated summary

Curcumin has shown promise as a supplementary therapy in cancer treatment, with our research demonstrating its ability to increase apoptosis rate and downregulate cell cycle-related pathways in human small cell lung cancer cells. Additionally, miRNA-548ah-5p was identified as playing a negative role in curcumin's anticarcinogenic activity.