Antitumor and antiangiogenic activities of curcumin in cervical cancer xenografts in nude mice.

To evaluate the effects of curcumin (CUR) on tumor progression and angiogenesis in cervical cancer- (CaSki-) implanted nude mice and on the angiogenic biomarkers: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). CaSki cells were subcutaneously injected in nude mice to establish subcutaneous tumors. One month after injection, mice were orally administered vehicle or 500, 1,000, and 1,500 mg/kg of CUR daily × 30 consecutive days.

Hexahydrocurcumin enhances inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil on HT-29 human colon cancer cells.

Aim: To investigate the ability of hexahydrocurcumin (HHC) to enhance 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in inhibiting the growth of HT-29 cells by focusing on cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression.

Methods: Antiproliferative effects of HHC and 5-FU, alone and in combination, on growth of HT-29 human colon cancer cells were assessed using 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. In combination treatment, low doses of 5-FU were used combined with various concentrations of HHC to minimize the toxicity and side effects of 5-FU.