Role of curcumin in regulating p53 in breast cancer: an overview of the mechanism of action

Abstract

Wamidh H Talib,1 Sonia A Al-hadid,1 Mai B Wild Ali,1 Intisar Hadi AL-Yasari,2 Mohammed R Abd Ali3 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan; 2Food Technology Department, Faculty of Food Science, AL-Qasim Green University, Babylon, Iraq; 3Faculty of Nursing, University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq Abstract: p53 is a tumor suppressor gene involved in various cellular mechanisms including DNA repair, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. More than 50% of human cancers have a mutated nonfunctional p53. Breast cancer (BC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths among females. p53 mutations in BC are associated with low survival rates and more resistance to the conventional therapies. Thus, targeting p53 activity was suggested as an important strategy in cancer therapy. During the past decades, cancer research was focused on the development of monotargeted anticancer therapies. However, the development of drug resistance by modulation of genes, proteins, and pathways was the main hindrance to the success of such therapies. Curcumin is a natural product, extracted from the roots of Curcuma longa, and possesses various biological effects including anticancer activity. Previous studies proved the ability of curcumin to modulate several signaling pathways and biomolecules in cancer. Safety and cost-effectiveness are additional inevitable advantages of curcumin. This review summarizes the effects of curcumin as a regulator of p53 in BC and the key molecular mechanisms of this regulation. Keywords: natural products, apoptosis, p53, breast cancer, Curcuma longa

Keywords

• natural products
• apoptosis
• p53
• breast cancer
• Curcuma longa