title: [Proliferative inhibition and apoptotic induction effects of crocin on human leukemia HL-60 cells and their mechanisms].
abstract: This study was to investigate the proliferative inhibition and apoptosis of human leukemia HL-60 cells induced by crocin and their possible mechanisms. The cell viability was tested by cell counting. The morphology of HL-60 cells was observed by fluorescence microscopy. The MTT assay was used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of crocin on the growth of HL-60 cells. Flow cytometry was used to measure the cell cycle. RT-PCR was used to detect bcl-2 and bax expression. The results indicated that the growth of HL-60 cells was inhibited remarkably in the dose and time dependent way. When the crocin concentration was higher than 5 mg/ml, the percentage of apoptotic HL-60 cells was not increased, on the contrary this percentage decreased, the cells manifested necrosis. Flow cytometry profiles revealed that cells were blocked in G₀/G₁ phase, the cell proliferation was inhibited obviously at 5 mg/ml. RT-PCR detection revealed that the expression of bcl-2 was down-regulated strikingly and bax was up-regulated. It is concluded that the crocin can inhibit the proliferation of HL-60 cells effectively, and block cells in G₀/G₁ phase. The mechanisms by which crocin induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells may be related to the inhibition of bcl-2 and activation of bax.
authors: Department of Pediatric Hematology, Central Laboratory, Qingdao University Medical College, Affiliated Hospital, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong Province, China.
authors: Hui-Juan
authors: HJ
authors: Xu
authors: Ren
authors: R
authors: Zhong
authors: Yan-Xia
authors: YX
authors: Zhao
authors: Xue-Rong
authors: XR
authors: Li
authors: Yuan
authors: Y
authors: Lu
authors: Ai-Qin
authors: AQ
authors: Song
authors: Xiu-Ying
authors: XY
authors: Pang
authors: Ru-Yong
authors: RY
authors: Yao
authors: Li-Rong
authors: LR
authors: Sun
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D015973:Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C494826:BAX protein, human; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D002338:Carotenoids; C029036:crocin