Curcumin induced apoptosis in human lung cancer A549 cells and cytoskeleton reorganization during process of apoptosis

OBJECTIVE: To detect the cytoskeleton disorganization during process of apoptosis induced by curcumin in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells.METHODS: The growth inhibition was determined by MTT assay.Apoptosis was examined using Annexin V and PI staining and electron microscopy.Rearrangement of actin cytoskeleton was determined by confocal fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry.F-actin content was detected by rhodamin-phalloidin staining and flow cytometry.RESULTS: MTT assay showed that curcumin significantly inhibited the viability of A549 cells in dose and time-dependent manner by induced apoptosis.Curcumin that was more than 10 μmol/L could induced the cell apoptosis after affecting for 24 hours,with apptosis peak.The cells decreased signifi cantly after the curcumin that was 20 μmol/L affected for 24 hours,with typical apoptosis shape.The apoptotic process was associated with the disorganization of architecture of actin microfilaments and decreasing the levels of F-actin.CONCLUSION: Curcumin can inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells.Actin filament disruption may play a central role in curcumin induced apoptosis of A549 cells.