MAPK3 and colorectal carcinoma: To investigate whether curcumin modulates MAPK pathway signaling downstream of PAR-2 in LPS-induced inflammatory conditions, we assessed the expression of ERK1, ERK2, and their phosphorylated forms (p-ERK1/2) in HT 29 and Caco-2 CRC cells, treated with LPS alone or in combination with curcumin (50 μM or 100 μM).