Low, plasma level‑informed native curcumin concentrations fail to induce cell death in human lung and colorectal cancer cells

Key Points

• The aim is to investigate curcumin's effects on cancer cell survival at low plasma level-informed concentrations.
• Examined the impact of low curcumin concentrations on human lung and colorectal cancer cells.
• Evaluated cell viability and survival in response to treatment with native curcumin.
• Conducted analyses to determine cytotoxic effects at clinically relevant levels.
• At low concentrations, curcumin did not induce cell death in cancer cells.
• Curcumin may support the survival of cancer cells instead of being cytotoxic.
• Findings indicate the need for further pre-clinical evaluation of polyphenols at effective doses.