It has been reported that the induction of differentiation of colon cancer cells by butyrate is inhibited by green tea polyphenols. We have investigated whether polyphenols extracted from turmeric have similar effects. Extracts with methanol were prepared from rhizomes of turmeric having high or low curcumin content (yellow and white turmeric, respectively). Differences in the extracts were revealed by thin layer chromatography. The phenolic content and the antioxidant activity, as determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl procedure, were higher in the yellow turmeric extracts. Effects on cell proliferation were monitored after 72 hours by staining with sulforhodamine B. Inhibitory effects on proliferation of Caco-2, HT29 and HCT116 human colon cancer cells were more consistent with extracts from the turmeric with greater curcumin content. However some white turmeric extracts had inhibitory activity that was as great as with yellow turmeric extracts, Inhibitory effects on butyrate-induced differentiation in Caco-2 and HT29 cells, as judged by alkaline phosphatase activity, were observed with all the extracts and with the compound curcumin. The data suggested that inhibition of differentiation of colon cancer cells by turmeric extracts may not be restricted to the action of curcumin and does not necessarily parallel inhibitory effects on cell proliferation.

Inhibitory effects of turmeric extracts and curcumin on proliferation and differentiation of human colon cancer cells

248th National Meeting (2014)

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