T59, a New Compound Reconstructed from Curcumin, Induces Cell Apoptosis through Reactive Oxygen Species Activation in Human Lung Cancer Cells

Curcumin is acknowledged for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and wound-healing properties. However, the biological activity and the molecular mechanisms of T59, which is a new derivative of curcumin, are not fully understood. The present study was aimed to determine the cytoxicity role of T59 in human lung cancer and the molecular mechanisms. Cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis effects induced by T59 were determined by MTT, AO staining, Annexin V, and JC-1. Compared with curcumin, T59 exerted more effective cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis effects in A549 and H1975. With the decreasing level of the mitochondrion membrane potential, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was increased and induced by T59. Furthermore, the expressions of cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax were increased, which were reversed by NAC mainly through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Our results suggested that T59 has the potential for further investigation and study to act as an anti-cancer therapeutic against human lung cancer.