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. 2016 Apr 25;8(4):248–260. doi: 10.1177/1758834016643518

Investigating the therapeutic role and molecular biology of curcumin as a treatment for glioblastoma

Gregor A Rodriguez 1, Ashish H Shah 2, Zachary C Gersey 3, Sumedh S Shah 4, Amade Bregy 5, Ricardo J Komotar 6, Regina M Graham 7,✉
PMCID: PMC4952019  PMID: 27482284

Abstract

Objectives:

Despite the aggressive standard of care for patients with glioblastoma multiforme, survival rates typically do not exceed 2 years. Therefore, current research is focusing on discovering new therapeutics or rediscovering older medications that may increase the overall survival of patients with glioblastoma. Curcumin, a component of the Indian natural spice, turmeric, also known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has been found to be an effective inhibitor of proliferation and inducer of apoptosis in many cancers. The goal of this study was to investigate the expanded utility of curcumin as an antiglioma agent.

Methods:

Using the PubMed MeSH database, we conducted a systematic review of the literature to include pertinent studies on the growth inhibitory effects of curcumin on glioblastoma cell lines based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results:

A total of 19 in vitro and five in vivo studies were analyzed. All of the studies indicated that curcumin decreased glioblastoma cell viability through various pathways (i.e. decrease in prosurvival proteins such as nuclear factor κB, activator protein 1, and phosphoinositide 3 kinase, and upregulation of apoptotic pathways like p21, p53, and executor caspase 3). Curcumin treatment also increased animal survival compared with control groups.

Conclusions:

Curcumin inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in certain subpopulations of glioblastoma tumors, and its ability to target multiple signaling pathways involved in cell death makes it an attractive therapeutic agent. As such, it should be considered as a potent anticancer treatment. Further experiments are warranted to elucidate the use of a bioavailable form of curcumin in clinical trials.

Keywords: antiproliferation, apoptosis, bioavailability, blood–brain barrier, cancer stem-like cells, curcumin, glioblastoma, toxicity

Introduction

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor affecting approximately 9000 new people each year [Ohgaki and Kleihues, 2005]. Patients are typically treated with maximal safe surgical resection followed by adjunctive chemoradiation therapy [Grossman and Batara, 2004]. Despite advances in surgical and combination chemoradiotherapy techniques, patients with glioblastoma survive less than 2 years [Grossman and Batara, 2004; Robins et al. 2007]. In an attempt to address this poor prognosis, recent studies have pointed to new potential targets, including cancer stem cells for treatment of glioblastoma after surgical resection [Cheshier et al. 2009]. These studies indicate that glioma stem cells may be responsible for GBM regrowth, resistance to chemoradiation, and the phenotypic heterogeneity of the tumor. Therefore, there has been a recent search for chemotherapeutics that may broadly modulate and attenuate malignant properties of glioblastoma stem cells.

As a result of its wide applicability in other malignancies, such as breast, colon, bladder, cervical, and prostate cancer [Hatcher et al. 2008; Sharma et al. 2005; Aggarwal et al. 2003], curcumin is being investigated as a potential treatment for gliomas. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that curcumin is an effective inhibitor of GBM proliferation, invasion, and viability [Zhuang et al. 2012; Perry et al. 2010; Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a, 2013; Weissenberger et al. 2010]. Several of these studies have demonstrated its effect on the programmed cell death pathways either by inducing apoptosis or autophagy [Karmakar et al. 2006, 2007; Zhuang et al. 2012]. Furthermore, curcumin has been demonstrated to affect a variety of signaling pathways thereby downregulating tumor resilience proteins, such as nuclear factor κB (NFκB), activator protein 1 (AP-1), and phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K), and upregulating apoptotic and tumor-suppressing proteins, such as p21, p53, and caspase 3 [Choi et al. 2008; Dhandapani et al. 2007; Karmakar et al. 2007; Huang et al. 2010; Su et al. 2010].

Despite the large and growing body of evidence of curcumin’s efficacy in vitro and in vivo on various tumors such as gliomas, the weak characterization of curcumin’s effects on GBM stem cells prevents its use in clinical trials. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to elucidate curcumin’s biochemical mechanisms of action and to summarize the current evidence on its efficacy on treating gliomas in order to determine if curcumin could be a potential treatment option for GBM and other gliomas.

Materials and methods

Study selection

Using the MeSH database system of PubMed, a literature search was performed between the years 2005 and 2015 for all articles that included the keywords curcumin, glioblastoma, and glioma (i.e. ‘curcumin’ [MeSH] and ‘glioma’ [MeSH]; ‘curcumin’ [MeSH] and ‘glioblastoma’ [MeSH]). The articles were limited to English, and both in vitro and in vivo trials using curcumin as a treatment for malignant gliomas were included. Studies analyzing the effect of curcumin on medulloblastomas or studies where curcumin was modified using extrinsic chemicals were excluded. Studies where curcumin was encapsulated in nanoparticles to improve bioavailability were included, but are specified to differentiate from experiments using natural curcumin. Technique or methodology papers, commentaries, and editorials were omitted. Forty-one articles were identified from this initial screen. One duplicate was identified and excluded. Studies were screened and selected according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines [Moher et al. 2009]. A diagram illustrating how each study was included is demonstrated in Figure 1. A final total of 19 studies were included in our review. No clinical trials were found.

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

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The PRISMA flow diagram for systematic reviews summarizes the process used to identify, screen, and include articles for this review.

Data extraction

All studies which fit the inclusion criteria stated above were compiled and grouped into in vitro or in vivo or both. The in vitro trials (n=19) were evaluated based on tumor cell line culture, curcumin administration, and methodology. The in vivo trials (n=5) were evaluated based on host type, implant location, tumor size reduction, and outcome. Both groups were analyzed for proliferation indices, apoptotic induction, and effect on cell cycle. Some in vivo studies were found to quantify survival time.

Not all studies used the same tumor-derived cell lines or the same curcumin treatments; however, differing protocols and cell lines were accounted for in qualitative analysis. Similarly, not all in vivo studies use the same number of initial cells or implant in the same location. Accordingly, some comparative analysis is limited due to an inherent lack of uniformity in methodology. Quantitative data were specified when reported in the research. No statistical tests were performed.

Results of literature search

Our search on PUBMED returned 59 research studies (see Figure 1). After the duplicate was eliminated and the remaining articles were screened for the inclusion criteria stated above, 19 articles were included in our review. Of these, 19 articles were included in the in vitro group and five articles were included in the in vivo group. All in vivo studies also included in vitro experiments. Tested cell lines, curcumin treatment, methodology, and results for in vitro and in vivo studies are summarized in Tables 1 and 2, respectively.

Table 1.

In vitro results of curcumin’s effects on glioblastoma multiforme.

Author and year Tissue origin Curcumin administration
 Analysis Results Apoptosis Cell cycle Notes
IC50 (μM) Duration
Dhandapani et al. [2007] T98G
U87MG
T67
C6		 – 2, 4, 6 days Cell viability ↓ Yes N/A –
NFκB ↓
AP-1 ↓
c-Jun ↓
Wu et al. [2013] U251 U87 – 24 h RANK mRNA ↑ N/A N/A Curcumin reactivates RANK expression by inhibiting STAT3
qPCR RANK promoter methylation ↓
STAT3 ↓
Thiyagarajan et al. [2013] C6 50 24 h Cell viability ↓ N/A N/A –
Ramachandran et al. [2012] U87
D283		 37.3 (U87)
28.7 (D283)		 72 h Cytotoxicity assay ↑ Yes N/A Curcumin and turmeric force
Apoptosis ↑
mRNA-Bax/Bcl-2 ratio ↑
Zanotto-Filho et al. [2013] C6
U251		 30 (C6)
60 (U251)		 24, 48, 96 h Cell viability ↓ Yes G2/M arrest Curcumin loaded nanoparticles uptake is higher after 24 h
Nanoparticle loaded curcumin increased cytotoxicity in U251 line
Zanotto-Filho et al. [2011a] U138MG
C6
U87
U373		 29(U138MG)
25 (C6)
19 (U87)
21 (U373		 36 h Cell viability ↓ Yes G2/M arrest Curcumin synergizes with anticancer drugs and is efficacious in a variety of GBM cell lines
NFκB ↓
PI3K ↓
Weissenberger et al. [2010] Tu-2449
Tu-9648
Tu-251		 – – STAT3 target gene transcription ↓ N/A G2/M arrest –
JAK1, 2/STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation ↓
Cell proliferation ↓
Migration and invasion assay ↓
Manju and Sreenivasan [2011] C6 97 24 h Cell viability ↓ N/A N/A Magnetic nanoparticles enhances cytotoxicity of curcumin
Thani et al. [2012] U373 41 48 h Cell viability ↓ Yes N/A –
MMP assay ↓
Zhuang et al. [2012] C6 – – Cell viability – N/A N/A Anti-inflammatory pathway of curcumin in CNS depends on inhibition of CCL2 through JNK pathway
CCL2 mRNA ↓
Phospho-JNK ↓
Huang et al. [2012] 8401 22.7 24 or 48 h Cell proliferation ↓ Yes Sub-G1 arrest Curcuminoids refers to curcumin and its related demethoxy compounds
M.M.P. ↓
DNA fragmentation assay ↑
WB-pro-caspase ↓
Caspase 3, 8, 9 ↑
NFκB transcription factor ↓
Senft et al. [2010] A-172
MZ-18
MZ-54
MZ-256
MZ-304		 – – Cell proliferation ↓ No N/A Curcumin is efficacious on both newly diagnosed and recurrent GBM
C-myc ↓
Cell migration ↓
Cell invasion ↓
Su et al. [2010] DBTRG 43.7 24 h Aberrant P53 ↓ Yes G2/M Arrest –
30.4 48 h Aberrant RB ↓
PI3K –
Perry et al. [2010] U87 11.6 72 h Endothelial cell migration ↓ N/A N/A Transcytosis of curcumin across BBB was noted
Endothelial cell formation ↓
Cell proliferation ↓
Fong et al. [2010] C6 – – ATP binding cassette transport (side populations) ↓ NA NA Decrease in side populations suggests curcumin’s role in inhibiting stem cells
Luthra et al. [2009] U87 – – Bcl-2 binding ↑ Yes G2/M Arrest –
DNA fragmentation ↑
Choi et al. [2008] U87MG – – Egr-1 mRNA, protein ↑ N/A G1 Arrest Cell cycle G1 arrest via p53 independent induction of p-21, and a concomitant reduction in cyclin D
p21 ↑
Panchal et al. [2008] C6 – – Cell proliferation ↓ N/A N/A –
Gluthathione S-transferase ↑
Heme-oxygenase 1 ↑
Zhuang et al. [2012] SU-2
SU-3		 N/A 3 days GIC self-renewal ↓ N/A N/A Curcumin induces autophagy and differentiation of GICs
Differentiation ↑
Autophagy ↑
Cell proliferation ↓
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AP-1, activator protein 1; ATP, adenosine triphosphate; bax, bcl-2 associated x gene; BBB, blood–brain barrier; bcl-2, B-cell lymphoma 2; p21, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1; CCL2, chemokine ligand 2; Egr-1, early growth response protein 1; GBM, glioblastoma multiforme; GIC, glioma-initiating cell; IC50, half-maximal inhibitory concentration (i.e. drug concentration resulting in fifty percent viability compared to control); JAK, janus kinase; JNK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; M.M.P., mitochondrial membrane potential; mRNA, messenger ribonucleic acid; N/A, not applicable; NFκB, nuclear factor κB; p53, protein 53; PI3K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases; qPCR, quantitative polymerase chain reaction; RANK, receptor activator of nuclear factor κB; RB, retinoblastoma gene; RT-PCR, real time polymerase chain reaction; STAT3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; WB, western blot.

Table 2.

In vivo results of curcumin’s effects on glioblastoma multiforme.

Author and year Tissue origin Implant location Days of treatment Delivery method Decrease in tumor size (%) Control survival Treatment survival Notes
Zanotto-Filho et al. [2013] C6 Striatum 14 days IP 50% 30 days 40 days Nanoparticle-mediated curcumin administration increases rat survival and efficacy of curcumin administration at lower dosages
Zhuang et al. [2012] SU-2
SU-3		 Caudate 5 weeks IP NR NR NR Curcumin-treated mice survived >120 days compared with control <90 days
Zanotto-Filho et al. [2011a] C6 Striatum 10 days IP 73% NR NR Increased apoptosis in implanted cells with minimum toxicity
Four mice had undetectable tumors after treatment
Weissenberger et al. [2010] Tu-2449
Tu-9648		 Striatum 80 days Oral NR 20–37 days 20–40 days Curcumin increased tumor-free survival by 15%
Decreased contralateral tumor spread and tumor growth
Perry et al. [2010] U87 Flank 29 days IP 47.5% N/A N/A Curcumin prolonged survival in intracerebral in vivo model
Caudate putamen 29 days IP N/A 20.9 days 23.4 days
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IP, intraperitoneal; NR, not reported.

In all studies examined, curcumin showed a reduction in cell viability. All but one study which measured cell death, showed that curcumin induces cell death by either inducing apoptosis (type I) or inducing autophagy (type II) [Senft et al. 2010]. It was also demonstrated that curcumin inhibited migration and invasion in all studies in which these tests were conducted [Weissenberger et al. 2010; Senft et al. 2010; Perry et al. 2010]. Curcumin was shown to broadly affect tumor-signaling mechanisms by suppressing prosurvival proteins (NFκB, AP-1, and PI3K) and upregulating apoptotic pathways (p21, p53, and executor caspase 3) [Huang et al. 2010, 2012; Karmakar et al. 2006, 2007; Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a; Su et al. 2010; Liu et al. 2007]. In vivo studies confirmed the results of in vitro studies and showed overall reduction in tumor growth [Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a, 2013; Weissenberger et al. 2010; Zhuang et al. 2012; Perry et al. 2010] and even prevention of tumor formation in some cases [Purkayastha et al. 2009; Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a; Weissenberger et al. 2010]. Additionally, all in vivo studies which recorded survival rate reported an increased survival in the curcumin group compared with control groups [Zanotto-Filho et al. 2013; Zhuang et al. 2012; Weissenberger et al. 2010; Perry et al. 2010].

All studies both in vitro and in vivo showed that curcumin inhibited cell proliferation or cell viability. In these experiments, curcumin reduced overall cell viability by inducing apoptosis [Thani et al. 2012; Huang et al. 2010, 2012; Ramachandran et al. 2012], inducing arrest in the cell cycle at G2/M [Liu et al. 2007; Panchal et al. 2008], or both [Luthra et al. 2009; Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a, 2013; Lim et al. 2011]. Curcumin was also found to interact synergistically with other common chemotherapeutics in five separate studies [Castonguay et al. 2012; Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a, 2015; Ramachandran et al. 2012; Dhandapani et al. 2007]. The summary of these findings is expressed in Table 3.

Table 3.

Curcumin as an adjunct treatment.

Study Primary agent Notes
Dhandapani et al. [2007] Cisplatin Decreased cell viability
Etoposide Increased DNA fragmentation
Camptothecin Radiation: increased cell death
Doxorubicin
Radiation (5 Gy)
Castonguay et al. [2012] Ruthenium letrozole Increased autophagy
Zanotto-Filho et al. [2011b] Cisplatin Synergism of apoptosis
Doxorubicin
Ramachandran et al. [2012] Temozolomide Potentiation of apoptosis
etoposide
Zanotto-Filho et al. [2015] Temozolomide + resveratrol Synergism of apoptosis via inhibition of autophagy
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Discussion

Originally used over 4000 years ago in ancient Ayurvedic medicine, curcumin is an antioxidant isolated from the Curcuma longa plant, and has been recently ‘rediscovered’ as an anti-inflammatory therapeutic for many diseases, including dermatologic conditions, upper respiratory tract infections, and malignancies [Hatcher et al. 2008; Sharma et al. 2005; Lee et al. 2013]. It has been proposed that curcumin’s biochemical structure (two phenol rings connected through a long network of conjugated pi bonds) contributes to its antineoplastic properties [Lee et al. 2013]. Curcumin has been demonstrated to possess marked antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on a variety of malignancies in vitro (leukemia and breast cancers) and in vivo (skin, stomach, colon, and liver) [Sharma et al. 2005; Hatcher et al. 2008; Aggarwal et al. 2003; Lee et al. 2013]. As a result, curcumin is now being used in clinical trials for colon and pancreatic adenocarcinoma, multiple myeloma, and Alzheimer’s disease [Hatcher et al. 2008; Aggarwal et al. 2003; Cheng et al. 2001].

For glioblastoma, the use of curcumin has been recently examined. Based on the results of our review, it is evident that curcumin may be an effective therapeutic agent for malignant gliomas. These studies demonstrate curcumin’s inhibitory effect on malignant glioma cell viability or proliferation as well cell invasion. Furthermore, the in vivo studies support a role for curcumin in treating malignant gliomas by reducing tumor growth and increasing survival. Curcumin’s potential as a strong therapeutic agent for GBM may be its ability to broadly affect multiple targets and cellular pathways (Figure 2).

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

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Curcumin modulates cellular pathways in glioblastoma multiforme. Green circles indicate prosurvival pathways, red circles indicate invasion and angiogenesis, and blue circles indicate apoptosis or cell cycle arrest. AP-1, activator protein 1; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; NFkB, nuclear factor B; PI3K, phosphoinositide 3 kinase.

Cellular pathways affected by curcumin

Caspase family

Caspases are cysteine proteases, which are essential mediators of the apoptotic pathway and as such are useful markers to examine apoptosis [Fulda and Debatin, 2006]. Synthesized as mature, inactive proteins, they become active upon cleavage in response to apoptotic stimuli. Initiation of the mitochondrial-mediated (intrinsic) or receptor-mediated (extrinsic) apoptotic pathways induces caspase activity and cell death. Activation of caspase 3, the execution caspase, is the last protease in both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. It is responsible for the proteolytic cleavage of key proteins, and ultimately contributes to DNA fragmentation and cell demise [Fulda and Debatin, 2006]. Curcumin treatment increased caspase three activity and GBM cell death multiple cell lines [Huang et al. 2010, 2012; Su et al. 2010; Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a; Karmakar et al. 2006, 2007]. Furthermore, increased levels of caspase 8 and caspase 9 upon curcumin treatment indicate that both the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways are activated, respectively [Huang et al. 2010, 2012; Karmakar et al. 2006, 2007].

NFκB pathway

NFκB is a transcription factor which binds to DNA and induces gene expression, thereby causing inflammation, increased invasion, angiogenesis, proliferation, and resistance to apoptosis [Aggarwal 2004]. NFκB has been shown to be abnormally overactive in GBM, as much as six to seven times, compared with healthy astrocytes, and many other chemoresistant cancers [Dhandapani et al. 2007; Huang et al. 2010; Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011b]. It has been suggested that the overactivity of this transcription factor may play a role in chemoradiation resistance [Karmakar et al. 2006; Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a]. Nevertheless, curcumin has been demonstrated to inhibit overactive NFκB in malignant gliomas and induce apoptosis [Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a, 2011b; Karmakar et al. 2006, 2007; Dhandapani et al. 2007; Huang et al. 2010, 2012; Woo et al. 2005]. Karmakar and colleagues reported direct downregulation of NFκB following curcumin treatment; as well as indirect inhibition through increasing cytosolic levels of Smac/Diablo, which decreased levels of inhibitor-of-apoptosis proteins affecting translation of NFκB and favoring apoptosis [Karmakar et al. 2007].

PI3K/AKT pathway

Phosphatase and tensin homilog deletion, mutations in receptor tyrosine kinases (such as epidermal growth factor receptor amplification), and gain of function activity of PI3K contribute to overactivation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in GBM. Mutations in at least one of these genes occurs in approximately two thirds of primary GBM cases and one third of secondary GBM cases, making the PI3K/AKT pathway a very attractive therapeutic target [Rao et al. 2010; Wen et al. 2012]. In fact, Zanotto-Filho and colleagues found that although AKT activity was seven to eight times greater in GBM cell lines compared with normal astrocytes, curcumin treatment markedly decreased phosphorylated AKT levels and significantly reduced GBM cell viability with no simultaneous decrease in viability of healthy astrocytes [Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a]. Furthermore, Aoki and colleagues showed that the addition of recombinant full-length AKT1 attenuated curcumin-induced cell death in U87-MG and U373-MG cells [Aoki et al. 2007].

Matrix metalloproteinase

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been found to be a major factor in the invasiveness and migration ability of malignant gliomas and have been positively correlated with histological grade [Mercapide et al. 2003; Koul et al. 2001]. MMPs are responsible for breaking down the extracellular matrix and diminishing the extracellular matrix barrier, potentially allowing malignant gliomas to invade and migrate into the surrounding healthy brain cells. Some MMPs have been found in much higher levels in glioblastoma tissue samples compared with healthy astrocytes [Sawaya et al. 1998]. Curcumin inhibits the overactive MMPs in GBM in vitro [Woo et al. 2005; Kim et al. 2005; Weissenberger et al. 2010; Thani et al. 2012]. Kim and colleagues showed curcumin had an inhibitory effect on the expression of several MMPs in GBM cell lines by downregulating mRNA expression of MMP-1, -3, -9, and -14, suppressing AP-1-mediated transcriptional activity and inhibiting mitogen-activated protein kinase activity; furthermore, the authors also showed that 10 μM curcumin prevented over 90% of U87MG GBM cell invasion in vitro [Kim et al. 2005].

p53 tumor suppressor

The tumor suppressor gene p53 is a cycle regulator protein associated with suspension of cell growth and induction of apoptosis [Bieging et al. 2014]. In many GBM samples, p53 has been found to be suppressed or absent [Rao et al. 2010]. In several of the studies included in our review, p53 was upregulated by curcumin in vitro as early as 8 h following treatment [Su et al. 2010; Liu et al. 2007]. Su and colleagues demonstrated that curcumin was able to inhibit proliferation by dose or duration-dependent upregulation of p53 expression, resulting in either intrinsic apoptosis or p53-mediated cell cycle arrest at G2/M [Su et al. 2010]. Furthermore, Liu and colleagues concluded that curcumin was a potent inhibitor of proliferation by increasing p53 activity and inhibiting the cell cycle at G2/M phase in a p53-dependent fashion [Liu et al. 2007].

Cell cycle arrest

Unrestrained cell proliferation is a hallmark of cancer and GBM is no exception. Amplifications or deletions of genes involved in cell cycle control and alterations in critical cell signaling pathways all contribute to this very aggressive tumor [Rao et al. 2010]. Curcumin inhibited proliferation by disrupting the cell cycle through G2/M cell cycle arrest [Liu et al. 2007; Luthra et al. 2009; Panchal et al. 2008; Su et al. 2010; Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a; Lim et al. 2011], as well as sub-G0/G1 cycle arrest [Choi et al. 2008; Huang et al. 2012]. Curcumin-induced G2/M arrest has been reported via many mechanisms. Both Liu and colleagues and Su and colleagues show G2/M arrest via upregulation of p53 and p21 [Liu et al. 2007; Su et al. 2010]. G2/M arrest associated with inhibition of Bcl-2 has also been reported [Luthra et al. 2009]. Even genetic regulation has been suggested by Pachal and colleagues, who shows downregulation of cdc2a, a gene involved in the transition for G2/M [Panchal et al. 2008]. Choi and colleagues found that curcumin induces arrest at G1 due to an upregulation of p21 and resulting inhibition of cyclin D1, which is responsible for the transition from G1 to S phase in the cell cycle [Choi et al. 2008].

In vivo studies of curcumin therapy

Reduction of tumor size

Several in vivo studies demonstrate that curcumin can significantly reduce tumor volume in rodent models of GBM [Perry et al. 2010; Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a, 2013; Aoki et al. 2007; Zhuang et al. 2012; Weissenberger et al. 2010]. Using the C6 glioma model, curcumin restricted brain tumor growth in immune-competent rats with up to 73% reduction in tumor volume compared with the control group [Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a]. Curcumin also significantly inhibited proliferation within treatment groups as median tumor volume proliferation decreased from 12.7 fold to 3.5 fold with treatment in U87-MG xenografted nude mice [Aoki et al. 2007]. Mechanisms of curcumin-mediated inhibition of tumor growth have been attributed to the downregulation of MMP-9 [Perry et al. 2010], as well as an increase in autophagy as indicated by increased LC3 staining of the curcumin treated tumor [Aoki et al. 2007; Zhuang et al. 2012]. A more recent study by Zanotto-Filho and colleagues corroborates the increase in LC3 and autophagy seen in vivo by Aoki and colleagues [Zanotto-Filho et al. 2015]. However, Zanotto-Filho and colleagues suggest this curcumin-induced autophagy may be a protective response, and blocking it may potentiate its other cytotoxic effects. Curcumin was also found to significantly reduce endothelial cell proliferation within the tumor, indicating that curcumin was able to inhibit GBM-induced angiogenesis, suggesting an additional mechanism by which curcumin treatment modulates tumor growth [Perry et al. 2010].

Increased model animal survival

Studies also report a survival benefit with curcumin treatment in in vivo rodent models [Perry et al. 2010; Weissenberger et al. 2010; Zhuang et al. 2012; Zanotto-Filho et al. 2013]. Zhuang and colleagues studied a group of mice, which were observed until moribund, or until 120 days. The study plotted survival time on Kaplan–Meier curves, which showed the curcumin-treated group (300 mg/kg/day) having a significantly longer survival time than the control. Both groups, each with a different line of glioma-initiating cell, showed similar survival times, with over 70% of the treatment group still surviving at day 120, and less than 20% of the control group surviving by day 90 after tumor implantation [Zhuang et al. 2012]. They hypothesized that the extended survival in the treatment group was a result of inhibition of proliferation and induction of glioma initiating cell differentiation. Curcumin-treated groups had smaller, less invasive, and more confined lesions, whereas the controls had larger more extensive lesions with more infiltrating malignant cells [Zhuang et al. 2012]. Zanotto-Filho and colleagues also showed an increase in survival rate with smaller doses of curcumin of 50 mg/kg/day, and as low as 1.5 mg/kg/day with nanoparticle-encapsulated curcumin [Zanotto-Filho et al. 2013].

Tumor prevention

Besides reducing tumor burden and increasing survival, curcumin has also been tested as a preventative therapeutic [Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a; Purkayastha et al. 2009; Weissenberger et al. 2010; Perry et al. 2010]. Primarily, Purkayastha and colleagues demonstrated that intracerebral injections of curcumin prevented tumor formation in 80% of treatment mice after intracerebral inoculation of melanoma cells [Purkayastha et al. 2009]. Subsequently, Zanotto-Filho and colleagues discovered a similar marked reduction in GBM tumor development (only 60% developed tumors in the treatment group versus 100% in the control group) when treated with intraperitoneal curcumin after tumor implantation [Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a]. Weissenberger and colleagues even reported a tumor preventive effect in two glioma cell lines with dietary curcumin 7 days before tumor inoculation: 15% and 38% of the treatment groups had tumor-free long-term survival, whereas 100% of control mice from both experimental groups died [Weissenberger et al. 2010]. These findings are useful in evaluating that curcumin may be effective in prevention of malignant glioma recurrence after surgical resection.

Blood–brain barrier permeability

Although penetration of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) remains an obstacle for treatment of malignant gliomas, the fact that curcumin when administered via intraperitoneal injection [Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a; Zhuang et al. 2012; Perry et al. 2010], intravenously [Purkayastha et al. 2009], or included in the diet [Weissenberger et al. 2010] was efficacious in orthotopic glioma models suggests it can cross the BBB. Specifically, Purkayastha and colleagues demonstrated that a tail vein injection of 200 µl of a 667 μM curcumin solution (given the total volume of fluids in a 35 g mouse to be 4 ml, the authors estimate a final curcumin concentration of 35 µM) reached concentrations of 50 fmol in the forebrain in just 30 min without evidence of toxicity in healthy brain cells [Purkayastha et al. 2009]. Achieving therapeutic concentrations of curcumin in plasma and brain tissue remains a challenge for scientists using the native curcumin compound. Typically, in vitro studies require higher levels of curcumin to demonstrate efficacy; however, curcumin has a low bioavailability due to poor mucosal absorption and rapid metabolism [Anand et al. 2007]. In fact, it is has been recently demonstrated that high-dose oral curcumin administration of 8 g/day produced maximum concentrations of 2 μM in the blood [Cheng et al. 2001]. Nevertheless, Weissenberger and colleagues demonstrated that the equivalent dose in mice (an estimated 100 µg of daily dietary curcumin) reduced malignant glioma growth and significantly increased long-term survival compared with control diet mice [Weissenberger et al. 2010].

Methods to increase the levels of curcumin in plasma and brain include using novel formulations or combining with the bioavailability enhancer, piperine [Shoba et al. 1998]. Piperine, a black pepper extract, was found to increase the bioavailability of curcumin in both animals and humans. Coadministration of piperine with curcumin increased the bioavailability of curcumin in healthy volunteers by 2000% without adverse effects [Shoba et al. 1998].

In a recent preclinical study in rats, the potential of nanoparticle encapsulated curcumin (nanocurcumin), liposomal curcumin, and polylactic glycolic acid co-polymer curcumin as a treatment strategy for neuropathic insults was evaluated [Chiu et al. 2011]. Following intravenous administration of all curcumin formulations curcumin was detected in multiple brain regions reaching as high as 0.5% of the injected material [Chiu et al. 2011]. Due to curcumin’s hydrophobic properties and poor absorption, several groups have studied this strategy of using nanoparticle-encapsulated curcumin to enhance bioavailability [Manju and Sreenivasan, 2011; Zanotto-Filho et al. 2013; Chiu et al. 2011; Lim et al. 2011]. In addition, curcumin hybrids such as CNB-001 have been recently generated to extend the bioavailability and therapeutic window for curcumin [Lapchak and McKim, 2011].

Toxicity to normal tissue

Multiple trials with curcumin have shown it to be well tolerated and safe. Out of all in vivo studies discussed here, there were no side effects reported. A phase I clinical trial showed no treatment-related toxicity with up to 8 g of oral curcumin per day, which resulted in serum concentrations of 1.5–3.5 µM [Cheng et al. 2001]. However, cytotoxic effects in healthy astrocytes have not been seen at concentrations below 120 μM [Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a].

Effect on cancer stem cells

Currently, one of the most promising models of treating glioblastoma is aimed at developing personalized treatment, targeting specific unique pathways in each tumor sample [Wolff et al. 2012; Idbaih et al. 2007; Huse and Holland, 2010; Huse et al. 2011]. Although curcumin seems to broadly affect cancer pathways, there may be a growing role for curcumin in personalized treatment. Presently, there are only a few studies that evaluate the effect of curcumin on GBM stem cells or tumor precursor cells. These studies support the ability of curcumin to induce differentiation of tumor precursor cells into healthy neural cells [Zhuang et al. 2012; Fong et al. 2010].

GBM stem cells represent a small population of cells within the tumor responsible for driving tumor growth and contributing to chemo and radioresistance [Cheshier et al. 2009]. Although GBM stem cells display marked heterogeneity, they are still studied as prospective therapeutic targets after surgical resection [Cheshier et al. 2009; Waters et al. 2010]. In order to assess individual patient heterogeneity, a topic for future investigation lies in experimenting and characterizing patient-derived stem cell lines from patients with glioblastoma and evaluating the efficacy of curcumin on these stem cells. Successful targeting of GBM stem cells may be necessary to prevent tumor regrowth and patient relapse (Figure 3).

Figure 3.

Figure 3.

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Curcumin targets glioblastoma multiforme stem cells. The stem cell theory of cancer predicts that successful elimination of tumor stem cells is necessary to prevent tumor regrowth and patient relapse.

Adjuvant chemoradiation

While curcumin holds the promise to one day be an option as chemotherapy for treating GBM, it has also been shown to be an excellent adjuvant to current chemoradiation treatment (Table 3) [Dhandapani et al. 2007; Castonguay et al. 2012; Ramachandran et al. 2012; Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a, 2015]. Zanotto-Filho and colleagues treated U138 MG glioma cells with curcumin followed by one of two common chemotherapeutic agents (cisplatin and doxorubicin) for 48 h and found that cell viability was markedly reduced compared with either chemotherapy or curcumin alone [Zanotto-Filho et al. 2011a]. Similarly, Dhandapani and colleagues showed that curcumin in adjunct with cisplatin, doxorubicin, etopiside, or camptothecin, greatly decreased cell viability and increased DNA fragmentation in both T98G and U87MG glioma cells [Dhandapani et al. 2007]. A more recent study by Zanotto-Filho and colleagues investigated the synergistic effect of curcumin with the standard of care chemotherapy, temozolomide [Zanotto-Filho et al. 2015]. While they report additive effects rather than synergistic effects, adding resveratrol improved the efficacy of curcumin plus temozolomide by increasing apoptosis.

In addition, Dhandapani and colleagues exposed curcumin-treated T98G and U87MG cells to 5 Gy of irradiation resulting in over 50% cell death induction, 20% greater than just curcumin treatment and over 40% greater than 5 Gy irradiation alone [Dhandapani et al. 2007]. Therefore, it is likely that curcumin may potentiate both standard radiation and chemotherapy regimens for high-grade gliomas.

Conclusion

Curcumin may be an effective GBM treatment as demonstrated by several preclinical studies. Curcumin has potent abilities to inhibit cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, to induce apoptosis, differentiation in glioma-initiating cells, and to cross the BBB. In combination with standard treatment, curcumin may potentiate adjuvant chemoradiation therapy for malignant gliomas. Our review indicates that curcumin remains a viable therapeutic for targeting patient-derived GBM stem cells. GBM stem cells are reported to be responsible for maintaining tumor growth, chemo- and radioresistance and regrowth of tumor following surgery, therefore elimination of this cell population is necessary for successful treatment of GBM. Future studies must characterize the effects and molecular mechanisms of action of curcumin on GBM stem cells. In addition, new approaches must be discovered to increase curcumin’s bioavailability and reach therapeutic levels in the brain. However, our review shows curcumin to be safe, even at high doses, and to interact synergistically with commonly used chemotherapeutics. Based on our review, curcumin may be a potential safe treatment option for patients with GBM; however clinical trials must be performed to evaluate treatment efficacy.

Footnotes

Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or non-profit sector.

Conflict of interest statement: The author(s) declared that there is no conflict of interest.

Contributor Information

Gregor A. Rodriguez, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

Ashish H. Shah, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

Zachary C. Gersey, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

Sumedh S. Shah, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

Amade Bregy, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.

Ricardo J. Komotar, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

Regina M. Graham, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1095 NW 14th Terrace, Room 5-23, Miami, FL 33136, USA.

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