Potentiation of paclitaxel activity by curcumin in human breast cancer cell by modulating apoptosis and inhibiting EGFR signaling

Arch Pharm Res. 2014 Aug;37(8):1086-95. doi: 10.1007/s12272-013-0311-3. Epub 2013 Dec 10.

Abstract

It has been suggested that combined effect of natural products may improve the treatment effectiveness in combating proliferation of cancer cells. Here, we examined the combined anticancer activities of compounds of three natural origin including baicalein, curcumin, and resveratrol with chemotherapy drug paclitaxel respectively, which showed that combination of paclitaxel with curcumin exhibited synergistic growth inhibition and induced significant apoptosis in MCF-7 cell lines. Treatment of MCF-7 cell lines with paclitaxel and curcumin induced the apoptosis of regulatory protein Bcl-2 but decreased Bax expression. In addition, simultaneous treatment with paclitaxel and curcumin strongly inhibited paclitaxel-induced activities of EGFR signaling. Furthermore, the combination of paclitaxel and curcumin exerted increased anti-tumor efficacy on mouse models. Overall, our data described the promising therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms of combining paclitaxel with curcumin in treating breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic / administration & dosage
  • Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic / pharmacology*
  • Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Curcumin / administration & dosage
  • Curcumin / pharmacology*
  • Curcumin / therapeutic use
  • Drug Synergism
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Paclitaxel / pharmacology*
  • Paclitaxel / therapeutic use
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Curcumin
  • Paclitaxel