Effects of curcumin combined with cisplatin on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion in hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell

Abstract

Objective To study the synergistic effects of curcumin and Cisplatin (DDP) on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2. Methods HepG2 cells were randomly divided into multiple groups, including control [dmethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)], curcumin group (5, 10, 20 μmol/L), DDP group (1, 5, 10 μmol/L) and combination treatment (Curcumin + DDP) group (5 μmol/L Curcumin + 5 μmol/L DDP, 10 μmol/L Curcumin+ 5 μmol/L DDP). The proliferation of HepG2 cells was detected by methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Additionally, Hoechst 33258 assay was used to determine morphological changes of nucleus and cell apoptosis. The migration and invasion ability of HepG2 cells were detected by scratch healing assay and Transwell invasion assay, respectively. Results The viability of HepG2 cells in combination treatment group was significantly lower than that in DDP group as indicated by MTT assay [(40.27±4.80)% vs. (61.80±9.14)%, P=0.023; (19.37±5.02)% vs. (61.80±9.14)%, P=0.002]. Hoechst 33258 staining showed that combination treatment triggered (10 μmol/L Curcumin+ 5 μmol/L DDP) more severe cell apoptosis compared with DDP alone (5 μmol/L) [(18.95±1.30)% vs. (10.35±1.46)%, P=0.012]. Scratch healing assay revealed that curcumin or DDP alone induced significant inhibition of cell healing in a dose-dependent manner, while combination treatment exhibited more stronger effects on cell healing than curcumin alone [(33.81±1.63)% vs. (39.77±2.48)%, P=0.026; (24.54±4.93)% vs. (39.77±2.48)%, P=0.003]. Transwell invasion assay indicated that cell invasion was reduced under the treatment of curcumin or DDP, and combination treatment group significantly reduced the number of invasive cells more obvious (24.33±2.52 vs. 32.00±3.61, P=0.039; 15.67±3.06 vs. 32.00±3.61, P=0.004). Conclusion Combination treatment could induce marked cell apoptosis of HepG2 and significantly inhibite cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Key words: Curcumin; Cisplatin; Hepatocarcinoma; HepG2 cell; Migration; Invasion