Synergistic apoptotic effect of Arabinoxylan rice bran (MGN-3/Biobran) and Curcumin (Turmeric) on human multiple myeloma cell line U266 in vitro

owever, a synergistic effect was noticed post-treatment with both agents that maximized at 100μg/m l MGN-3 plus 10μM curcumin. his synergy was characterized by an 87% decrease in cell number and a 2.6 fold increase in t he percentage of apoptotic U266 cells. Cell cycle analysis showed a 53% decrease in the percentage of cells in th e G0-G1 phase treated with MGN-3 and curcumin (from 36% to 17%). Analysis of the expression of the pro and antiapoptotic m olecules Bax and Bcl-2 revealed synergistic effects of these agents, as the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased and Bax was increas ed. his resulted in a cellular microenvironment favorable for apoptosis. We conclude that MGN-3 and curcumin synergiz e in the induction of U266 cell apoptosis. his data may establish the foundation for in vivo studies that could have therapeutic implications.