Hamed Boostaniyan - Msc student , Basic Science faculty, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan Branch, Zanjan,Iran.
Zahra Deilami Khiabani - Assistant professor, Basic Science faculty, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan Branch, Zanjan,Iran

Introduction&Aim: Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common malignant disease and the second leading cause of cancer related death worldwide. Aberrant expression of genes is one of important factor in cancer appearance. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT in humans) is a catalytic subunit of the enzyme telomerase which, together with the telomerase RNA, comprises the most important unit of the telomerase complex. Telomerase allows senescent cells to continue division and become potentially immortal. In this project we have studied hTERT expression in AGS cell line which was treated with curcumine extract. Herbal extracts have been mentioned for fewer side effects in the treatment of diseases, including cancer. Methods:AGS cells cultured in DMEM with 10% FBS then treatment have done with concentrations of 800, 1200 and 2000 μg / ml of curcumine extract for 48 hours. Extraction of RNA and cDNA synthesis was performed using specific kits. The hTERT gene expression was measured by Real time PCR. Curcumin could inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in gastric carcinoma by reducing hTERT. Results:Curcumine extract reduced hTERT expression in AGS cell line. The most reduction has seen in high concentration of curcumine. Curcumin could inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in gastric carcinoma by reducing hTERT Conclusion:hTERT may become therapeutic targets for cancer treatment and curcumine as a herbal extract decreased the expression rate of hTERT significantly, in all concentrations. It seems that this herbal extract like curcumine has tremendous anticancer effects. hTERT may become therapeutic targets for cancer treatment

hTERT AGS cells, curcumine