ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biological mechanism of curcumin inhibiting the invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: The cytotoxicity of curcumin was detected by Am-Blue assay. Cell-based luciferase assay was used to detect the change of the microRNA-21 expression level. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of mRNA of pri-miR-21, pre-miR-21 and microRNA-21. The protein expression levels of PTEN, PDCD4 and EMT markers were detected by Western blot. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to detect cell invasion and migration. RESULTS: Curcumin can significantly inhibit the expression of microRNA-21, while inhibiting the mRNA expression of the precursors pri-miR-21, pre-miR-21 and mature microRNA-21. Curcumin can significantly enhance the expression levels of microRNA target proteins PTEN and PDCD4. Curcumin inhibited the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, in which the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin was increased, and the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin was decreased. Curcumin can inhibit the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Curcumin inhibits the invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting the expression of microRNA-21.