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Chinese Medicine
Published in: Chinese Medicine 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research

Anti-cancer effects of Rhizoma Curcumae against doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells

Authors: Zhangfeng Zhong, Haibing Yu, Shengpeng Wang, Yitao Wang, Liao Cui

Published in: Chinese Medicine | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Chemotherapy is a primary approach in cancer treatment after routine surgery. However, chemo-resistance tends to occur with chemotherapy in clinic, resulting in poor prognosis and recurrence. Nowadays, Chinese medicine may shed light on design of new therapeutic modes to overcome chemo-resistance. Although Rhizoma Curcumae possesses anti-cancer activities in various types of cancers, the effects and underlying mechanisms of its bioactive components against chemo-resistance are not clear. Therefore, the present study aims to explore the potential effects of Rhizoma Curcumae on doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells.

Methods

The expression and function of ABC transporters in doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cells were measured by western blotting and flow cytometry. Cell viability was detected using MTT assay. The combination index was analyzed using the CalcuSyn program (Biosoft, Ferguson, MO), based on the Chou–Talalay method.

Results

In our present study, P-gp was overexpressed at protein level in doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 cell line, but short of MRP1 and BCRP1. Essential oil of Rhizoma Curcumae and the main bioactive components were assessed on doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 cell line. We found that the essential oil and furanodiene both display powerful inhibitory effects on cell viability, but neither of these is the specific inhibitor of ABC transporters. Moreover, furanodiene fails to enhance the efficacy of doxorubicin to improve multidrug resistance.

Conclusion

Overall, our findings fill the gaps of the researches on chemo-resistance improvement of Rhizoma Curcumae and are also beneficial for Rhizoma Curcumae being developed as a promising natural product for cancer adjuvant therapy in the future.
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Metadata
Title
Anti-cancer effects of Rhizoma Curcumae against doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells
Authors
Zhangfeng Zhong
Haibing Yu
Shengpeng Wang
Yitao Wang
Liao Cui
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Chinese Medicine / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1749-8546
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-018-0203-z

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