The methylene chloride fraction of trichosanthis fructus induces apoptosis in U937 cells through the mitochondrial pathway

13Citations
Citations of this article
10Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Trichosanthis kirilowii MAXIM has been used as a folk remedy to treat diabetes, leukemia, and breast cancer. In the present study, the apoptotic mechanism of the methylene chloride fraction of Trichosanthis Fructus (MCTF) was investigated in human leukemic U937 cells. MCTF exhibited antiproliferative effectsagainst U937 cells (IC50=ca. 8 μg/ml). Apoptotic bodies were observed in MCTF-treated U937 cells in the TUNEL assay. We also confirmed that MCTF significantly increases annexin V+/propidium iodide-cells using FACS analysis. MCTF treatment activated caspase-8, -9 and -3, and led to cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and release of cytochrome c into cytosol in a concentration-dependent manner, while MCTF did not affect Bax or Bcl-2 protein levels as shown by Western blot analysis. Taken together, these results indicate that MCTF can induce apoptosis in U937 cells chiefly via a mitochondrial-mediated pathway and suggest that Trichosanthis Fructus can be used in cancer treatment as a chemopreventive agent. © 2006 Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Lee, E. O., Lee, J. R., Kim, K. H., Baek, N. I., Lee, S. J., Lee, B. H., … Kim, S. H. (2006). The methylene chloride fraction of trichosanthis fructus induces apoptosis in U937 cells through the mitochondrial pathway. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 29(1), 21–25. https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.29.21

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free