In vitro antitumoral effects of the combination of Curcuma longa and prednisolone on inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer among children. Despite recent treatment advances, about 80 percent of patients indicate resistance to treatment and the relapse remains a significant clinical problem. Apoptotic-resistant leukemia cells exhibit an unusual response to the NF-κB pathway; therefore, inhibiting this pathway can sensitize resistant cells to treatment. IKK-NF-kappaB signaling is an important factor in carciogenesis and a potential target for cancer treatment. Therefore, in this study, the mRNA expression of targets of NF-κB signaling including IKKalpha, IKKbeta and also NF-κB were analyzed, using the real time-PCR in the face of the combined effect of Curcuma longa and prednisolone in the ALL cell line of NALM-6. Results of the study showed significant downregulation of three genes after combination Curcuma longa (5 µg/ml) and prednisolone (1 μM) in comparison with the single agents alone. These findings unveiled the synergistic effect of Curcuma longa and prednisolone on IKKα and IKKβ downregulation and NF-κB inhibition that can be considered as a new approach in the ALL treatment of resistance to chemotherapy.