BCM-95® (CURCUGREEN®), 06 Aug 2021

Doi:10.1038/s41416-020-01170-3

Linda Saxe Einbond, Jing Zhou, Hsan-au Wu, Emeka Mbazor, Guiyun Song, Michael Balick, James A. DeVoti, Stephen Redenti and Mario R. Castellanos

BACKGROUND: The phytochemical mixture TriCurin (curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and resveratrol) eliminates human papillomavirus (HPV) (+) cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we further evaluate TriCurin.

METHODS: The activity of TriCurin and its individual compounds was assayed on W12 cells, derived from a cervical precancer containing episomal and integrated HPV16 DNA, using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays, microscopy and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and on HeLa cells by gene expression analysis. The stability and toxicity of TriCurin microemulsion were tested in an organotypic cervical tissue model.

RESULTS: TriCurin and its individual compounds inhibit the growth of W12 cells, episomal, type 1 and 2 integrants; the relative order of activity is TriCurin, EGCG, curcumin, or resveratrol. RT-PCR shows that TriCurin activates p53 and suppresses HPV16 mRNAs E1, E2, E4, E6 and E7 at 24 h in W12 cells. Gene expression analysis shows that TriCurin activates pro-apoptotic genes and represses anti-apoptotic genes in HeLa cells. TriCurin in a microemulsion is stable and non-toxic to cervical tissue. The combination of TriCurin and tanshinone IIA exhibits additional synergy against HeLa cells.

CONCLUSIONS: TriCurin, and the combination of TriCurin with tanshinone IIA, are effective against HPV (+) cells. The

phytochemical mixture, in the microemulsion-based cream, is a promising therapeutic for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.