Fig. 1.

Curcumin exerts anti-proliferative effects on human CRC cells by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest. A NCM356 and HCT116 were incubated with various concentrations of curcumin (0–10 µM) for 24, 48 or 72 h, and cell viability was measured using the MTT or SRB cell viability assay (supplementary data Fig. 1). (n = 3–5 independent experiments; ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc multiple comparisons, **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001). B Lovo and HCT116 3D spheroids were exposed to 10 µM curcumin for 72 h. The area of spheroids after incubation with 10 µM curcumin (72 h) was measured using ImageJ software. C The cell viability index was evaluated by measuring resofulvin reduction in HCT116 and Lovo cells (n = 5 independent experiments; Mann–Whitney test, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01). D Curcumin triggered G2/M cell cycle arrest in CRC cells (n = 5 independent experiments; ANOVA followed by Tukey’ post hoc multiple comparisons, **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001)