Effects Of Gefitinib Combined With Curcumin On Proliferation And Apoptosis In Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell A549

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been widely applied to the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but their usage is largely limited by K-ras mutation representative of primary drug resistance. The present study was intended to observe the effects of gefitinib combined with curcumin on A549cell proliferation and apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma cell A549. Cell proliferation was assayed by MTT method. The dose-effect of gefitinib combined with curcumin was evaluated by isobolograms and combination index (CI). Cell apoptosis, cell cycle distribution and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. Cell apoptotic morphology was observed by Hoechest33258staining. Caspase activity was detected by chemical colorimetry. Both isobolograms and CI showed that cell proliferation was inhibited and cell apoptosis was increased in combination of gefitinib and curcumin group. The result of cell cycle experiments showed that cells were blocked mainly in G0/G1in gefitinib single-drug group, and mainly in G2/M stage while treated with curcumin alone and gefitinib plus curcumin. The apoptosis pathway of lung cancer A549cells in gefitinib combined with curcumin group and curcumin single-drug group was activated mainly by reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential and activating Caspase-9/Caspase-3. Curcumin has an extensive application perspective in targeted cancer treatment due to its multi-target properties.