The Open Leukemia Journal

2008, 1 : 1-14
Published online 2008 November 14 . DOI: 10.2174/1876816400901010001
Publisher ID: TOLEUKEMIAJ-1-1

RESEARCH ARTICLE
 Induction of Apoptosis in Human Leukemic Cell Lines U937, K562 and HL-60 by Litchi chinensis Leaf Extract Via Activation of Mitochondria Mediated Caspase Cascades

Soma Royaa , Shila E. Besraa , Tripti Deb , Bisweswar Banerjeec , Joydeep Mukherjeed and Joseph R. Vedasiromoni, *,a
a Drug Development Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (A Unit of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, India), 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata-700032, India
b Infectious Diseases & Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (A Unit of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, India), 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata-700032, India
c Department of Chemistry, K.N. College, Berhampur-742101, India
d Department of Life Science & Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032, India

* Address correspondence to this author at the Drug Development Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata-700032, India; Fax: 91-33-2473-0284/1597; E-mail: , j_rajan_49@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The apoptogenic activity of Litchi chinensis leaf extract (LCLE) was investigated against three human leukemic cell lines-U937, K562 and HL-60. LCLE inhibited cell growth and metabolic activity of the leukemic cells and showed characteristic features of apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis showed appreciable number of cells in early and late apoptotic stages. While U937 and K562 cell populations were arrested in the G2-M phase, the HL-60 cell population was arrested in the G1 phase of cell cycle. LCLE induced apoptosis is mediated through mitochondrial intrinsic pathway involving the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3

Keywords:

Litchi chinensis leaf extract, in vitro anti-leukemic mitochondria mediated intrinsic pathway, caspase-3, caspase-9.