Curcumin promote autophagy via miR-582-5p and Akt/mTOR axis

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of Curcumin in modulating miR-582-5p expression in cisplatin (DDP)-resistant cervical cancer cells. Methods: miR-582-5p expression levels were quantified by qPCR. Cell viability following DDP treatment was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Colony formation ability was evaluated, and the expression of autophagy-related proteins (ATG7, Beclin-1, LC3-II/I) as well as the phosphorylation status of Akt and mTOR were analyzed by Western blotting. Results: miR-582-5p expression was downregulated in DDP-resistant tissues and in Hela/DDP and SiHa/DDP cells. Curcumin treatment reduced the IC50 values of both cell lines and suppressed colony formation. Curcumin upregulated ATG7, Beclin-1, and LC3-II/I expression in DDP-resistant Hela and SiHa cells, while concurrently inhibiting the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR. miR-582-5p modulated Akt phosphorylation and influenced Curcumin-induced autophagy in these resistant cell lines. Additionally, the phosphorylation status of Akt affected the autophagic response to Curcumin. Conclusions: Curcumin enhances autophagy in DDP-resistant cervical cancer cells, accompanied by downregulation of miR-582-5p and inhibition of Akt/mTOR phosphorylation.