J. Cancer Mol. 4: 11-16, 2008

[Review Article]

Curcumin: a Potential Cancer Chemopreventive Agent through Suppressing NF-kB Signaling

Chih-Li Lin and Jen-Kun Lin

Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Abstract:

Curcumin, a naturally occurring compound derived from turmeric, has long been suggested with strong therapeutic or preventive potential to against several major human diseases because of its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancerous effects.  Although inflammation is a protective effect, persistent inflammation has been believed to involve in the multistage of cancer development.  As a result, the aberrantly increased activity of NF-kB, a master factor playing a key role in inflammation, is implicated in a variety of human cancers.  Curcumin is known to exert anti-inflammatory effects significantly by interrupting NF-kB signaling at multiple levels.  Many observations indicate that curcumin indeed shows valuable potential in the cancer treatment through inhibiting the activity of I-kB kinase, IKK.  In this review, the anticancer effects of curcumin and the underlying mechanisms are discussed.  We also provide a summary of the recent literatures focusing on NF-kB signaling pathways and their potential involvement in the development of anticancer strategies.

(Keywords: curcumin; NF-kB; I-kB; cancer prevention; inflammation)

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Received 1/27/08; Revised 2/10/08; Accepted 2/12/08.

1. Correspondence: Prof. Jen-Kun Lin, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Room 947, No. 1, Jen-Ai Road Section 1, Taipei 100, Taiwan. Phone: 886-2-23123456 ext. 2213. Fax: 886-2-23918944. E-mail: jklin@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw

2. Abbreviations: NF-kB, nuclear factor kappa B; I-kB, inhibitor of NF-kB; IKK, I-kB kinase; ROS, reactive oxygen species; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; TRAIL, TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; COX-2, cyclooxygenase-2; ERK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase.

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