Phytochemical in fruits and vegetables induced apoptosis with inhibition of cancer cell growth and metastasis. Selenium and curcumin, a kind of phytochemical, have anti-cancer and anti-oxidant effect in cancer cells. Selenium inhibits metastasis through the induction of cell cycle arrest. Curcumin, a major activate component turmeric, is known inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer effect. The ser/thr kinase Akt is activated by growth factor, and it controls cell survival and cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is modulated by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). It regulates cell survival and growth. In this study, we have investigated the synergistic effects of selenium and curcumin on apoptosis and Akt and mTOR activation in Hep3B hepato-carcinoma cells. Treatment with selenium and curcumin or co-treatment with them inhibited proliferation and survival of Hep3B cells. They induced also apoptotic cell death of cancer cells. We suggest that Akt/mTOR signal pathway is inhibited more effective by combined treatment of selenium and curcumin in Hep3B hepato- carcinom cells, so proliferation of Hep3B cells can be suppressed. (Cancer Prev Res 15, 285-290, 2010)

Keywords: Selenium, Curcumin, Hep3B hepato-carcinoma cells, Akt, mTOR