![Sample our Bioscience journals, sign in here to start your access, Latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5925/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Bioscience.jpg"})
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the toxicity induced by curcumin in human astrocytoma cell lines.
Methods: The effects induced by curcumin, at 100 µM for 24 h, were evaluated in four astrocytoma cell lines using crystal violet assay and through the evaluation of morphological and ultrastructural changes by electron microscopy. Also, the results of vital staining with acridine orange and propidium iodide for acidic vesicles and apoptotic bodies were analyzed and the expression of the Beclin1 gene was assessed by RT-PCR.
Results: The cells treated with curcumin at 100 µM induced an inhibitory concentration50 of viability with morphological changes characterized by a progressive increase in large, non-acidic vesicles devoid of cytoplasmic components and organelles, but that conserved the cell nuclei. No DNA breakage was observed. The astrocytoma cells showed no apoptosis, necrosis or autophagy. Expression of BECLIN1 was not induced (p < 0.05) by curcumin in the astrocytoma cells.
Conclusions: Curcumin at 100 µm induced a new type of death cell in astrocytoma cell lines.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the Dirección de Investigación of the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez for its support. A.-H. F. is a SNI-I of CONACYT.
