title: Strychnos nux-vomica root extract induces apoptosis in the human multiple myeloma cell line-U266B1.
abstract: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable B cell neoplasm causing significant morbidity and mortality. Despite recent advances in the MM-treatment, the disease still remains incurable; necessitating a search for new therapeutic agents. Therefore, Strychnos nux-vomica L. root extract (SN) was screened using the human MM-cell line, U266B1. SN-extract demonstrated anti-proliferative effect in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Morphological studies, cell cycle analysis by FACS indicate apoptosis. Furthermore, assessment of signaling molecules like IL-6 (interleukin-6) and CD-138 (Sydencan-1) confirmed apoptosis. The anti-proliferative activity of SN-extract is associated with apoptosis, which is likely due to the presence of alkaloids, strychnine and brucine, which have been identified by MALDI-TOF-MS and RP-HPLC analysis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India. sraopasupuleti@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Pasupuleti Sreenivasa
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Majeti Narsimha Vara
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Prasad
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000473:pathology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D031461:Strychnos nux-vomica / Q000737:chemistry*; D053668:Syndecan-1 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D053668:Syndecan-1