title: Effects of antioxidants and pro-oxidants on cytotoxicity of dihydroartemisinin to Molt-4 human leukemia cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of the present study was to investigate how oxidative status influences the effectiveness of cytotoxicity of artemisinin towards cancer cells. It is hypothesized that antioxidants would reduce, whereas pro-oxidants would enhance, cytotoxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Molt-4 human leukemia cells were incubated with vitamins C, E, D3, dexamethasone, or hydrogen peroxide alone or in combination with dihydroartemisinin (DHA). Concentrations of these compounds studied were similar to those achievable by oral administration. Viable cell counts were performed before (0 h) and at, 24 and 48 h after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vitamin C, vitamin D3, dexamethasone, and H2O2 caused significant Molt-4 cell death. Vitamin E caused an increase in Molt-4 cell growth. Vitamin C and vitamin D3 significantly interacted with DHA at the 48-h time point and with H2O2 at both 24-h and 48-h time points.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cellular oxidative status could alter the potency of artemisinin in killing cancer cells.
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Gerhardt
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
authors: Ross
authors: R
authors: Jones
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
authors: Jungsoo
authors: J
authors: Park
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
authors: Rui
authors: R
authors: Lu
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
authors: Ho Wing
authors: HW
authors: Chan
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
authors: Qingxi
authors: Q
authors: Fang
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A. narendra@u.washington.edu.
authors: Narendra
authors: N
authors: Singh
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Lai
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002839:Chromans / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D037621:Artemisinins; D002839:Chromans; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D002762:Cholecalciferol; C039060:artenimol; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; C010643:6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid
keywords: Artemisinin; Molt-4 cells; Trolox; dexamethasone; hydrogen peroxide; sodium ascorbate; vitamin D3