Elemene induces apoptosis and regulates expression of bcl-2 protein in human leukemia K562 cells.
OBJECTIVE
To study the antitumor action of elemene (Ele) and its mechanism.


METHODS
Inhibition of proliferation was measured with a colorimetric 3-[4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Morphological assessment of apoptosis was performed with fluorescence microscope. DNA fragmentation was assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. The levels of bcl-2 protein was measured with flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Exposure of exponentially growing K562 cells to Ele 65-520 mumol. L-1 for 48 h resulted in growth arrest. The values of IC50 and 95% confidence limits were 220 (152-319) mumol.L-1. After treatment of K562 cells with Ele 130 mumol.L-1, marked morphological changes including "Apo bodies" reduction in volume were observed with fluorescence microscope. Agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA from cells treated with Ele for 48 h revealed "ladder" pattern. The levels of bcl-2 protein in K562 cells treated with Ele for 48 h were obviously decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
Ele induces apoptosis of K562 cells, which is related with the down-regulation of bcl-2 protein in K562 cells.
Yuan
J
J
Department of Pharmacology, Suzhou Medical College, China. smcfao@publicl.sz.js.cn
Gu
Z L
ZL
Chou
W H
WH
Kwok
C Y
CY
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C038905:elemene