[beta-elemene enhances aclarubicin-induced apoptotic effect in HL-60 cells and its mechanism.].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of beta-elemene combined with aclarubicin on the induction of HL-60 cell apoptosis and its mechanisms in antileukemia therapy.


METHODS
HL-60 cells were treated for 20 hours with different dose of aclarubicin (0.05, 0.10, 0.25 microg/ml) or with different concentrations of beta-elemene (10, 20, 40 microg/ml) in the presence or absence of aclarubicin (0.10 microg/m). The apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM), the productions of PGE2 in culture supernatants was detected by competitive ELISA and the expressions of COX-2 and NF-kappaB activity in HL-60 cells by Western blot.


RESULTS
Lower concentration of aclarubicin (0.05, 0.10 microg/ml) didn't affect apoptotic rate, and COX-2, NF-kappa B and PGE2 expression on HL-60 cells. Combined treatment of beta-elemene and aclarubicin (0.10 microg/ml) enhanced the apoptotic effect and down-regulated COX-2, NF-kappaB and PGE2 expressions. There was a positive correlation between the effects and beta-elemene concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
beta-elemene enhances aclarubicin-mediated apoptotic effect, down-regulation of COX-2 and their inducing products PGE2 in HL-60 cells by suppressing activitation of NF-kappaB.
Zheng
Cui-Ping
CP
Department of Hematology and Chemotherapy, the Second People's Hospital of Wenzhou, Wenzhou 325000, China.
Tong
Xiang-Min
XM
Yao
Hang-Ping
HP
Yang
Jun
J
Xu
Jie
J
Cai
Xiao-Ping
XP
Liu
Zheng
Z
D015250:Aclarubicin; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015536:Down-Regulation; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism
D016328:NF-kappa B; D015250:Aclarubicin