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Curcumin analog L48H37 induces apoptosis through ROS‐mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress and STAT3 pathways in human lung cancer cells
Author(s) -
Feng Chen,
Xia Yiqun,
Zou Peng,
Shen Miaoshan,
Hu Jie,
Ying Shilong,
Pan Jialing,
Liu Zhiguo,
Dai Xuanxuan,
Zhuge Weishan,
Liang Guang,
Ruan Yeping
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
molecular carcinogenesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.254
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1098-2744
pISSN - 0899-1987
DOI - 10.1002/mc.22633
Subject(s) - curcumin , apoptosis , lung cancer , biology , endoplasmic reticulum , unfolded protein response , cancer , cancer research , cancer cell , pharmacology , reactive oxygen species , cell cycle checkpoint , cell cycle , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , biochemistry , genetics
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths. Curcumin is a well‐known natural product with anticancer ability, however, its poor bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profiles have limited its application in anticancer therapy. Previously, we reported that L48H37, a novel analog of curcumin with higher bioavailability, ameliorated LPS‐induced inflammation, but the anticancer effect of L48H37 is still unknown. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of L48H37 in human lung cancer cells. Our results show that L48H37 decreases lung cancer cell growth and colony formation. These alterations were mediated through induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in lung cancer cells. After L48H37 treatment, ER stress‐related proteins were increased, and the expression of p‐STAT3 was decreased in a dose‐dependent manner. L48H37 also induced the accumulation of ROS in lung cancer cells, and pretreatment with NAC could fully reverse L48H37‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase. Blocking ROS was able to reverse L48H37‐induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Finally, we show that L48H37 inhibits the growth of lung cancer xenografts without exhibiting toxicity. Treatment of mice bearing human lung cancer xenografts with L48H37 was also associated with indices of ER stress activation. In summary, our results provide evidence for a novel anti‐tumor candidate for the treatment of lung cancer.