title: Leaf extracts from Nitraria retusa promote cell population growth of human cancer cells by inducing apoptosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this report the phytochemical profile of Nitraria. Retusa (N. Retusa) leaf extracts were identified and their ability to induce apoptosis in human chronic myelogenous erythroleukaemia (K562) was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Apoptosis of the human chronic myelogenous erythroleukaemia (K562) was evidenced by investigating DNA fragmentation, PARP cleavage and caspases 3 and 8 inducing activities, in the presence of N. retusa extracts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our study revealed that the tested extracts from N. Retusa contain many useful bioactive compounds. They induced in a time-dependent manner the apoptosis the tested cancerous our cell line. This result was confirmed by ladder DNA fragmentation profile and PARP cleavage, as well as a release in caspase-3 and caspase-8 level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that the tested compounds have a significant antiproliferative effect which may be due to their involvement in the induction of the extrinsic apoptosic pathway.
authors: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Monastir, Rue Avicenne, Monastir, 5000, Tunisia. l_chekir@yahoo.fr.
authors: Jihed
authors: J
authors: Boubaker
authors: Wissem
authors: W
authors: Bhouri
authors: Mohamed Ben
authors: MB
authors: Sghaier
authors: Ines
authors: I
authors: Bouhlel
authors: Ines
authors: I
authors: Skandrani
authors: Kamel
authors: K
authors: Ghedira
authors: Leila
authors: L
authors: Chekir-Ghedira