Research Article

Effects of Curcumin on Cancer Stem Cell Markers and P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug Resistance in U87 Glioblastoma Cells

Volume: 8 Number: 3 October 28, 2025
TR EN

Effects of Curcumin on Cancer Stem Cell Markers and P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug Resistance in U87 Glioblastoma Cells

Abstract

Objective: Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound derived from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, possesses a wide array of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Despite its traditional medicinal applications, its therapeutic potential, particularly in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), remains insufficiently explored. This study seeks to examine the effects of curcumin on glioblastoma proliferation, apoptosis, cancer stem cell (CSC) marker expression, drug resistance mechanisms, and cell cycle regulation, with the aim of identifying its potential as a novel adjunct therapeutic agent in GBM treatment. Material and Methods: We conducted a cytotoxicity assay using thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT). Apoptosis was assessed through annexin/PI staining. Cell cycle analysis was performed. Flow cytometry was used to analyse the staining of CD44/CD24/ CD133 and the multidrug resistance transporter, P-glycoprotein (Pgp). Results: Curcumin was found to inhibit the proliferation of U87 glioblastoma cell lines while promoting apoptosis. Cells were arrested in the G2/M phase effectively. Curcumin also modulated the expression of CSC markers, including CD44 and CD133, which are implicated in tumour aggressiveness and treatment resistance. In addition, curcumin inhibited the expression of P-glycoprotein at low concentrations. Conclusion: Curcumin exhibits promising anticancer activity in GBM through multiple mechanisms, including the inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis, modulation of CSC markers, and interference with drug resistance pathways. These findings suggest curcumin’s potential as an adjuvant therapeutic agent in GBM management, warranting further investigation.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Oncology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 28, 2025

Submission Date

July 20, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 30, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 3

APA
Nazlıgül, E., Özerman Edis, B., Yenerel, M. N., & Günçer, B. (2025). Effects of Curcumin on Cancer Stem Cell Markers and P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug Resistance in U87 Glioblastoma Cells. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences, 8(3), 138-147. https://doi.org/10.26650/JARHS2025-1746753
AMA
1.Nazlıgül E, Özerman Edis B, Yenerel MN, Günçer B. Effects of Curcumin on Cancer Stem Cell Markers and P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug Resistance in U87 Glioblastoma Cells. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences. 2025;8(3):138-147. doi:10.26650/JARHS2025-1746753
Chicago
Nazlıgül, Esra, Bilge Özerman Edis, Mustafa Nuri Yenerel, and Başak Günçer. 2025. “Effects of Curcumin on Cancer Stem Cell Markers and P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug Resistance in U87 Glioblastoma Cells”. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences 8 (3): 138-47. https://doi.org/10.26650/JARHS2025-1746753.
EndNote
Nazlıgül E, Özerman Edis B, Yenerel MN, Günçer B (October 1, 2025) Effects of Curcumin on Cancer Stem Cell Markers and P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug Resistance in U87 Glioblastoma Cells. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences 8 3 138–147.
IEEE
[1]E. Nazlıgül, B. Özerman Edis, M. N. Yenerel, and B. Günçer, “Effects of Curcumin on Cancer Stem Cell Markers and P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug Resistance in U87 Glioblastoma Cells”, Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 138–147, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.26650/JARHS2025-1746753.
ISNAD
Nazlıgül, Esra - Özerman Edis, Bilge - Yenerel, Mustafa Nuri - Günçer, Başak. “Effects of Curcumin on Cancer Stem Cell Markers and P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug Resistance in U87 Glioblastoma Cells”. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences 8/3 (October 1, 2025): 138-147. https://doi.org/10.26650/JARHS2025-1746753.
JAMA
1.Nazlıgül E, Özerman Edis B, Yenerel MN, Günçer B. Effects of Curcumin on Cancer Stem Cell Markers and P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug Resistance in U87 Glioblastoma Cells. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences. 2025;8:138–147.
MLA
Nazlıgül, Esra, et al. “Effects of Curcumin on Cancer Stem Cell Markers and P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug Resistance in U87 Glioblastoma Cells”. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences, vol. 8, no. 3, Oct. 2025, pp. 138-47, doi:10.26650/JARHS2025-1746753.
Vancouver
1.Esra Nazlıgül, Bilge Özerman Edis, Mustafa Nuri Yenerel, Başak Günçer. Effects of Curcumin on Cancer Stem Cell Markers and P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug Resistance in U87 Glioblastoma Cells. Journal of Advanced Research in Health Sciences. 2025 Oct. 1;8(3):138-47. doi:10.26650/JARHS2025-1746753