Curcumin Lipid Nanoemulsion Inhibits Cervical Cancer Progression by Upregulating Metastasis-associated Gene 1

Abstract

Background: The abnormal expression of metastasis-associated gene 1 (MTA1) is related to the proliferation of tumor cells. Curcumin lipid nanoemulsion can effectively inhibit the growth of cervical cancer cells.Objectives: This study mainly explores whether curcumin lipid nanoemulsion can inhibit the disease process of cervical cancer by regulating MTA1.Materials and Methods: 20 μmol/L curcumin lipid nanoemulsion was used to intervene with Hela cells for 0, 6, 12, and 24 h, respectively. Observe cell proliferation and cycle after curcumin intervention at different concentrations and at different times, observe the protein expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway factors, and verify that PI3K is the direct target of MTA1.Results: Curcumin lipid nanoemulsion dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation with a more obvious at 10 μmol/L (p < 0.01). From 24 h onwards, cell number in the S phase in 20 μmol/L curcumin lipid nanoemulsion began to decrease significantly; cell number increased significantly in the G0/G1 phase and decreased in the G2/M phase (p < 0.05). The higher the concentration of curcumin lipid nanoemulsion, the higher the expression of the MTA1 inhibitor, showing a certain concentration and dose dependence. MTA1 can directly target PI3K. When the concentration of curcumin lipid nanoemulsion was 10 μmol/L, the expressions of PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR decreased, and the decrease was more significant at 20 μmol/L (p < 0.01).Conclusion: Curcumin lipid nanoemulsion can inhibit cervical cancer cell proliferation and control cell growth. Curcumin lipid nanoemulsion mainly acts through the MTA1/PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis. MTA1 negatively regulates the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; curcumin lipid nanoemulsion; metastasis-associated gene 1; phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway