[beta-elemene induces apoptosis of K562 leukemia cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of beta-elemene on K562 leukemia cells.


METHODS
Hoechst 33342 and PI fluorescence staining, DNA fragmentation, electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and immunocytochemistry were used to evaluate the effect of beta-elemene on K562 cells.


RESULTS
beta-elemene heatment induced the formation of apoptotic bodies and DNA ladder. The effect was dose- and time-dependent. The expression of bcl-2 was decreased in beta-elemene treated cells as compared with the untreated control cells.


CONCLUSIONS
beta-elemene exerts its cytotoxic effect on K562 leukemic cells by the induction of apoptosis.
Zou
L
L
Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China.
Liu
W
W
Yu
L
L
D017209:Apoptosis; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D019254:Genes, bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020014:K562 Cells; D007938:Leukemia; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes
D010936:Plant Extracts; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C445979:beta-elemene