Curcumin exerts therapeutic effects on colorectal cancer by inducing pyroptosis through caspase-1 activation

Sep 24, 2026

Colorectal cancer represents a major global health burden, while existing therapies can lead to relapse and metastasis. Curcumin, a turmeric-derived natural compound, has shown anticancer potential, yet its mechanisms in colorectal cancer remain incompletely defined. This study tested whether curcumin triggers pyroptosis via caspase-1 activation in colorectal cancer cells, evaluating cell viability, migration, invasion, and pyroptosis markers through LDH release, TUNEL staining, and western blotting.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Curcumin and colorectal cancer background

Rationale for studying pyroptosis

Abstract & Study Aim

Pyroptosis induction via caspase-1 activation

Experimental evaluation of anticancer effects

Results Overview

Effects on viability, migration, and invasion

Pyroptosis markers and caspase-1 inhibition

Molecular Medicine rePorTS 32: 327, 2025 Curcumin exerts therapeutic effects on colorectal cancer by inducing pyroptosis through caspase‑1 activation 1* 1* 1 2 JiaJie ZHu , lianGJun YanG , ZHenG FanG , JiaBin cHen , YeQian Wu3 , HaiYan liu 1 , SHan liu4 and BaoYinG Fei1 1 department of Gastroenterology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, P.r. china; 2 department of oncology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, P.r. china; 3Graduate School, Zhejiang chinese Medical university, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.r. china; 4School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang chinese Medical university, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.r. china received March 15, 2025; accepted august 12, 2025 doi: 10. 3892/mmr.2025.13692 Abstract. colorectal cancer (crc) is a substantial global health challenge, with current treatments often leading to relapse and metastasis . curcumin, a natural compound derived from turmeric, has shown promise in cancer therapy; however, its mechanisms in crc are not fully understood. The present study aimed to investigate the role of curcumin in inducing pyroptosis, a form of inflammatory cell death, through caspase‑1 activation in crc cells. Human crc cell lines (HcT‑116 and SW480) and normal colon epithelial cells (FHc) were treated with curcumin at varying concentrations. cell viability, migration and invasion were assessed using cell counting Kit‑8, wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Pyroptosis was evaluated through lactate dehy‑ drogenase (ldH) release, Tunel staining and western blot analysis of pyroptosis‑related proteins (caspase‑1, gasdermind, nucleotide‑binding oligomerization domain‑like receptor protein 3, il‑1β and il‑18) . The role of caspase‑1 was further examined using the inhibitor VX‑765 . Curcumin significantly Correspondence to: Professor Shan liu, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang chinese Medical university, 548 Binwen road, Binjiang, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.r. china e‑mail: [17421351@qq.com](17421351@qq.com) Professor Baoying Fei, department of Gastroenterology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, 234 Gucui road, Xihu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, P.r. china e‑mail: [feibaoying@126.com](feibaoying@126.com) *contributed equally Abbreviations: aiM2, absent in melanoma 2; crc , colorectal cancer; FBS, fetal bovine serum; GSdM, gasdermin; ldH, lactate dehydrogenase; nod, nucleotide‑binding oligomerization domain; nlrP, nod‑like receptor protein; nlrc , nod‑like receptor family caspase recruitment domain‑containing protein; TMe , tumor microenvironment Key words: curcumin, crc, pyroptosis, caspase‑1 reduced crc cell viability, migration and invasion in a dose‑dependent manner. in addition, it induced pyroptosis, as evidenced by cell membrane swelling, increased ldH release and upregulation of pyroptosis‑related proteins. inhibition of caspase‑1 with VX‑765 attenuated these effects, confirming the role of caspase‑1 in curcumin‑induced pyroptosis . in conclusion, curcumin may exert anti‑crc effects by inducing caspase‑1‑mediated pyroptosis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent. These findings suggest that curcumin could be integrated into current crc treatment strategies, particu‑ larly in targeting pyroptosis to enhance tumor suppression. Introduction Globally, colorectal cancer (crc) is a leading oncological burden, positioned asthe third most frequently diagnosed malig‑ nancy and the second principal contributor to cancer‑associated mortality (1). The World Health organization estimated that in 2022, there were >1.9 million new cases of crc and 904,000 crc‑associated deaths worldwide, with china accounting for~30% of these cases (2) . Projections indicate that by 2040, the number of new cases and deaths to will increase to 3.2 million and 1.6 million, respectively, posing a notable public health challenge (3) . despite 60% of patients being diagnosed with resectable crc ,

FAQs

What is the main aim of this study on curcumin and colorectal cancer?

To determine whether curcumin induces pyroptosis through caspase-1 activation in colorectal cancer cells and thereby produces therapeutic effects.

How were curcumin’s effects on colorectal cancer cell behavior assessed?

Cell viability was measured using a CCK-8 assay, while migration and invasion were evaluated with wound healing and Transwell assays.

What evidence supports that curcumin induces pyroptosis in this work?

Pyroptosis was assessed by LDH release, TUNEL staining, and western blot analysis of pyroptosis-related proteins such as caspase-1, gasdermin, and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Sep 24, 2026

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