Derivatization of Curcumin and the Effect of Resultant Derivatives on BRC-9 Breast Cancer Cells

Medicinal herbs have been taken into consideration for cancer treatment because of the high prevalence of cancer and the severe consequences of chemotherapy. Turmeric, the common name of the Curcuma longa plant, is one of these herbs as Indian spices being applicable for food spices as well as treatment of various diseases. The medicinal and biological effects of turmeric are actually associated with the main component of its rhizome, i.e. curcumin. Curcumin has antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal, and antiviral properties. In this research, curcumin derivatives were synthesized via a condensation reaction of some aromatic amines (aniline, 2-nitroaniline, 4-ethyl aniline) with curcumin. The effects of the molar ratio of amine: to curcumin on the type of products were also examined. The structure of the products was characterized by FT-IR, 1HNMR, and 13CNMR spectroscopy. The anticancer activities of compounds were investigated by the MTT assay (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) - 2,5 - diphenyltetrazoliu bromide test). It was evaluated with different dosages of curcumin derivatives at different times against BRC-9 breast cancer cells which exhibited the most potent anticancer activity.