The Effect of Curcumin on B-Cell Leukemia

Overview

Objectives/Goals Turmeric is a bitter and pungent herb found primarily in Southeast Asia. Curcumin, turmeric extract, is known for its anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, anti-viral, anti-arthritic, anti-bacterial, and other effects. B-Cell Leukemia, a form of leukemia under the sub-categories of acute lymphocytic and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, can be detected through a test which looks for marker proteins on B-lymphocytes. The objective of this study was to determine if curcumin has the ability to induce apoptopis in B-Cell Leukemia cancer cells. Methods/Materials This study consisted of 4 separate procedures. The first procedure involved creating the cancer cell medium by using amino acids, vitamins, penicillin streptomycin glutamine, and fetal calf serum to create an environment for the cancer cells to proliferate in. The second procedure was the creation of the curcumin. Curcumin was mixed with Dimethyl Sulfoxide to create a liquid solution. The third procedure involved the lab setup. 6 test tubes were obtained and each was used for a different concentration (in micromolar) of curcumin.The concentrations used were 0, .625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10. The cell solution and cancer cell medium were also added to these test tubes proportionately. The last procedure involved obtaining results using a Becton-Dickson FACscan Flow Cytometer. Results The results proved that curcumin is effective in preventing the proliferation of B-Cell Leukemia cancer cells. The lower concentrations of curcumin were less effective in preventing the proliferation of the cancer cells than the higher concentrations. Conclusions/Discussion In this study, the apoptopic death was indicated by the flipped phospholipid phophatidylserine. Propidium iodide was unsuccessful in determining apoptopic death in some trials because the phagocytic cells hadn't broken the cancerous cells into fragments. Annexin V was used to stain the cancerous cells that were in an early form of apoptosis. Researchers indicate that this is the first time the effect of curcumin has been tested on B-Cell Leukemia. This study proved that curcumin has an ability to induce apoptosis in the B-Cell Leukemia cancer cells. A recent article in the Science magazine discusses curcumin's ability to suppress cystic fibrosis and lung disease. Clearly, curcumin can be used in the future for medical-related research and possible prevention of diseases.

Competition history

• CSEF 2004 Pharmacology/ Toxicology · Entry S1419

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