[Frontiers in Bioscience S4, 335-355, January 1, 2012]

Curcumin: The multi-targeted therapy for cancer regression

Dewan Md Sakib Hossain1, Sankar Bhattacharyya1, Tanya Das, Gaurisankar Sa1

1Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII M, Kolkata 700054, India

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Introductory background of curcumin
3.1. Physical and chemical backdrop
3.2. Safety and toxicity
3.3. Biotransformation and bioavailability
3.4. On the way of alternative to main stream medicine
4. Use of curcumin: Multi-targeted therapy for cancer
4.1. Control on carcinogenesis
4.1.1. Inhibition of tumor initiation by curcumin
4.1.2. Inhibition of tumor promotion and progression by curcumin
4.2. Regression of tumor
4.2.1. Induction of tumor cell apoptosis by curcumin
4.2.2. Inhibition of angiogenesis by curcumin
4.2.3. Retardation of metastasis by curcumin
4.3. Renovation of depressed immune system by curcumin
4.4. Amelioration of systemic toxicity
4.4.1. Anti-oxidant properties of curcumin
4.4.2. Detoxificant properties of curcumin
5. Conclusion
6. Acknowledgment
7. References

1. ABSTRACT

Tumors are multifaceted; in fact, numerous things happen in synchrony to enable tumor promotion and progression. Any type of cancer is associated with the modification of 300-500 normal genes and characterized by the deregulation of cell signaling pathways at multiple steps leading to cancer phenotype. Thus a proper management of tumorigenesis requires the development of multi-targeted therapies. Several adverse effects associated with present day cancer therapies and the thirsts for multi-targeted safe anticancer drug instigate the use of natural polyphenol, curcumin. It appears to involve a blend of anti-carcinogenic, pro-apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, anti-metastatic, immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities. Also the molecular mechanisms implicated for the pleotropic activities of curcumin are diverse and seem to involve a combination of cell signaling pathways at multiple levels of tumorigenesis. Being a potent scavenger of reactive oxygen species, curcumin also ameliorates systemic toxicity in tumor-bearer. Taken together, by placing particular emphasis on molecular basis of tumor promotion and progression this review summarizes the anti-cancer properties of curcumin that may be exploited for successful clinical cancer prevention.