The apoptotic and anti-proliferative activity of Origanum majorana extracts on human leukemic cell line.
Scientists are constantly searching for phytochemicals and compounds with anti-cancer and antioxidant activity. In this study, the anti-proliferative activity of plant extracts from Origanum majorana (marjoram) was tested on human lymphoblastic leukemia cell line Jurkat. Cytotoxicity was examined using non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay and the IC(50) was calculated. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, the viability of cells decreased with increase of concentration of plant extract. The anti-proliferative effect was also found to be dose-dependent. Analysis via flow cytometry shows that marjoram extracts stimulated apoptosis. Induction of apoptosis was caused by an up-regulation of p53 protein levels and down-regulation of Bcl-2alpha. Marjoram exhibited a strong scavenging activity (SC(50)=0.03mg dry weight). The conclusions from this study suggest that marjoram extracts exhibit anti-proliferative effect and high antioxidant activity. For that it merits further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent.
Department of Biology, University of Balamand, Al-Koura, Lebanon. rabdelmassih@balamand.edu.lb
Roula M
RM
Abdel-Massih
Rida
R
Fares
Samer
S
Bazzi
Nisrine
N
El-Chami
Elias
E
Baydoun
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D015153:Blotting, Western; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D031341:Origanum / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010851:Picrates / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl