Effects of curcumin on the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway and bile acid enterohepatic circulation in liver cancer mice model.

BACKGROUND

Liver cancer has a high incidence and poor prognosis. Curcumin is a natural compound with anti-tumor activity, but its effects on the STAT3 signaling pathway and the bile acid enterohepatic circulation in liver cancer models remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of curcumin on the STAT3 signaling pathway and bile acid enterohepatic circulation in a mouse model of liver cancer.

METHODS

A liver cancer model was established in C57BL/6J mice, which were divided into a sham surgery group, a model control group, low-, medium- and high-dose curcumin groups, a STAT3 inhibitor group, a combination intervention group and a cisplatin positive control group. HE staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of liver tissue. Serum biochemical indicators and IL-6 and TGF-β1 levels were measured. STAT3 pathway proteins were detected by Western blot and related gene expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

Curcumin dose-dependently inhibited STAT3 signaling activity and reduced the p-STAT3/total STAT3 ratio (P<0.05). In the high-dose curcumin group, serum ALT, AST and TB levels decreased from (254.55±56.14)U/L, (542.01±71.28)U/L and (42.98±8.21)μmol/L to (47.98±10.68)U/L, (135.24±24.12)U/L and (7.91±1.36)μmol/L, respectively (all P<0.05). Curcumin upregulated the expression of BSEP, NTCP and FXR, downregulated Cyp7a1 and upregulated the expression of intestinal Fgf15 and Asbt.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin alleviates liver injury and inflammation while ameliorating bile acid enterohepatic circulation by inhibiting the STAT3 signaling pathway.