Figure 2

Overview of the anti-cancer effects of curcumin. Curcumin suppresses the activation of NF-κB via inhibition of IκKB activity, leading to suppression of many NF-κB-regulated genes involved in tumorigenesis including TNF,COX-2, cyclin D1, c-myc, MMP-9 and interleukins. Curcumin is involved in cell cycle control and stimulation of apoptosis via upregulation of p16 and p53. In addition, curcumin is a modulator of autophagy and has inhibitory effects on tumor angiogenesis and metastasis via suppression of a variety of growth factors including VEGF, COX-2, MMPs and ICAMs.