Mitochondria are emerging as potential targets for the cancer treatment. In this study, the effects of curcumin on the activity, migration, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of malignant hepatocytes (SMMC-7721 cells) were determined using cell viability, migration, and MMP assays. Changes in the morphology and biomechanics of SMMC-7721 cells and their mitochondria were studied using both optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The cell survival rate, migration and MMP depended on the concentration of curcumin. Optical microscopy studies showed that curcumin altered the cell morphology. AFM studies showed that the changes in the morphology and nanomechanics of SMMC-7721 cells and their mitochondria, were induced by curcumin. As the concentration of curcumin increased, the cell length, width, and adhesion decreased, but the height, roughness and Young's modulus increased. In contrast, the mitochondrial length, width, height and roughness increased, but the adhesion and Young's modulus decreased. There was a close relationship between mitochondria and cells in terms of function, morphology and biomechanics. This study shows the effects of curcumin on SMMC-7721 cells and their mitochondria from biology and biophysics perspectives. The findings aid in comprehensively understanding the interactions between mitochondria and malignant hepatocytes.

线粒体正在成为癌症治疗的潜在靶点。在本研究中，通过细胞活力、迁移和MMP 测定来确定姜黄素对恶性肝细胞（SMMC-7721 细胞）的活性、迁移和线粒体膜电位 (MMP) 的影响。使用光学显微镜和原子力显微镜 (AFM) 研究 SMMC-7721 细胞及其线粒体的形态和生物力学变化。细胞存活率、迁移和基质金属蛋白酶取决于姜黄素的浓度。光学显微镜研究表明姜黄素改变了细胞形态。AFM 研究表明，姜黄素可诱导 SMMC-7721 细胞及其线粒体的形态和纳米力学变化。随着姜黄素浓度的增加，细胞长度、宽度和粘附力降低，但高度、粗糙度和杨氏模量增加。相反，线粒体的长度、宽度、高度和粗糙度增加，但粘附力和杨氏模量下降。线粒体与细胞在功能、形态和生物力学方面有着密切的关系。本研究从生物学和生物物理学的角度展示了姜黄素对 SMMC-7721 细胞及其线粒体的影响。这些发现有助于全面了解线粒体和恶性肝细胞之间的相互作用。