Abstract
Abstract Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is the major etiologic factor leading to the development of cutaneous squamous and basal cell carcinoma and is also a risk factor for melanomas. UV elicits inflammation, epidermal hyperplasia and changes in the expression of numerous genes associated with proliferation and differentiation. Curcumin has been shown to exert an anti-inflammatory activity, interfere with multiple cell signaling pathways, and possess potential preventive effect against various cancers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether curcumin can protect UV-induced skin damage in hairless SKH-1 mice. Oral or topical application of curcumin prior to, or immediately after, UV irradiation resulted in a very strong protective effect against UV-induced thymine dimer expression in epidermis, accounting for 69-74% inhibition (p < 0.00). Curcumin treatment also resulted in upregulation of p53 and p21/Cip1 protein levels by 33-41% (p < 0.005) and 46-50% (p < 0.005), respectively. Oral or topical application of curcumin prior to, or immediately after UV irradiation strongly decreased the expression of proliferative cell nuclear antigen by 47- 56% (p < 0.005). In addition, curcumin treatment significantly suppressed UV-induced apoptosis as measured by TUNEL assays (p < 0.005). Furthermore, curcumin treatment also significantly inhibited NF-κB, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) levels. Our results suggest that curcumin possesses strong protective effect against UV-caused damage in epidermis. Taken together, these results provide a focus for the rational development of curcumin as a novel chemopreventive agent against UV-induced human skin cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 503.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
