Effects of cyclohexanone analogues of curcumin on growth, apoptosis and NF-κB activity in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells

Abstract

Curcumin is a non-nutritive yellow pigment found in the spice turmeric, which is derived from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa Linn. Six cyclohexanone analogues of curcumin (A 1-A 6) were investigated for their effects on growth and apoptosis in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. The ability of these compounds to inhibit NF-κB activity in PC-3 cells was also determined. Five out of the six curcumin analogues (A 2-A 6) had stronger inhibitory effects compared to curcumin on the growth of cultured PC-3 cells. Compounds A 2-A 6 also had stronger stimulatory effects on apoptosis in PC-3 cells than curcumin, and these curcumin analogues more potently inhibited NF-κB activity than curcumin. The inhibitory effects of these compounds on NF-κB activity correlated with their effects on growth inhibition and apoptosis stimulation in PC-3 cells. The results of the present study provide a rationale for in vivo studies with A 2-A 6 using suitable animal models of prostate cancer.