title: Induction of DNA fragmentation by tannin- and lignin-related substances.
abstract: A variety of tannin and lignin-related compounds were compared for their ability to induce nucleosome-sized DNA fragmentation (a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis), using agarose gel electrophoresis and a fluorescence activated cell sorter. Monomeric, dimeric, trimeric and tetrameric hydrolysable tannins induced nucleosome-sized DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells, more potently than condensed tannins. The highest activity was detected in gallic acid, a component unit of tannins. Natural lignified materials, except for caffeic acid and its dehydrogenation polymer, showed much weaker activity. Protein-bound polysaccharide (PSK) was inactive. Gallic acid induced DNA fragmentation in four human myelogenous leukaemic cell lines, but not in human T-cell leukaemia and erythroleukaemia cell lines. Ca2+ depletion from the culture medium slightly, but significantly, reduced the apoptosis-inducing activity of gallic acid, but did not significantly affect that of tannic acid or caffeic acid. After treatment with gallic acid, intracellular Ca2+ concentration was significantly elevated. The apoptosis-inducing activity of polyphenols may further emphasize their medicinal efficacy.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakagami
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuribayashi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iida
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakagami
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukuchi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gomi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohata
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Momose
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawazoe
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007938:Leukemia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008031:Lignin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; D008031:Lignin; D004247:DNA; D002118:Calcium