Survivin Antisense Oligodeoxy-Nucleotid Induces Apoptosis in Leukaemia Cell Line K562

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of survivin antisense oligodeoxy-nucleotid (ASODN) on proliferation and apoptosis in the chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562. METHODS Different concentrations of an antisense oligodeoxy-nucleotid and control sequence (scrambled ODN) targeting the survivin gene were transferred into K562 by a lipofectin reagent. The MTT assay was used to measure the growth inhibitory rate, IC50, and to observe the cytotoxicity of survivin ASODN in the K562 cells. The morphologic changes in the nucleus and the apoptotic rate were observed by Hoechst33342/PI staining. Caspase-3 activity was evaluated by a kinase activity assay. The changes of survivin protein expression after transfection were detected by Western blots. RESULTS Eight hours after transfection, fluorescence in the K562 cells was well distributed. Treatment of the cells for 44 h with different concentrations of survivin ASODN produced a IC50 of 800 nmol/L. The growth inhibitory rate with 200, 400, 600 and 1000 nmol/L of survivin ASODN was 15.8±1.6%, 23.8±5.9%, 37.1±5.6% and 77.3±2.5% respectively. After 36 h of of survivin ASODN treatment, distinct morphologic changes characteristic of cell apoptosis such as karyopyknosis and conglomeration were observed by Hoechst33342/PI staining. Caspase-3 activity increased significantly after treatment of the cells with different concentrations of survivin ASODN(P<0.01)and following treatment with 800 nmol/L survivin ASODN, survivin expression decreased significantly. CONCLUSION Survivin ASODN exerts an anti-cancer effect by inducing apoptosis in K562 leukaemia cells. Up-regulated expression of caspase-3 may play a role in this process.

INDEPENDENT AND SYNERGIC INHIBITION OF DIPYRIDAMOLE AND RADIATION ON K562-AND K562/ADM CELL LINES IN VITRO

It is first demonstrated that dipyridamole (DP) and radiation were capable of significantly inhibiting, independently and synerglcally, clonogenlc growth in the two kinds of K562 cell lines, adriamycin (ADM) -sensitive and ADM- resistant. DP or radiation alone Increased clonogenlc Inhibition rate (CIR) in the two kinds of cell lines in a dose- dependent fashion. DP potentiated radiosensitivity and radiation increased inhibition of DP in the two kinds of cell lines. K562/ ADM cell lines were higher sensitive to DP. radiation and combination of them than K562 cell lines (P<0. 01). There was stronger synergic inhibition of clonogenlc growth in the two kinds of cell lines when pretreated with DP than when posttreated with DP (P<0. 01).

INDEPENDENT AND SYNERGIC INHIBITION OF VERAPAMIL AND ELECTRIC BEAM RADIATION ON CLONOGENIC GROWTH IN K562 AND K562/ADM CELL LINES IN VITRO

It was first reported here that verupamil(VP) and electric beam radiation(EBR) were capable of inhibiting,independently or synergically,clonogenic growth in two kinds of K562 cell lines, adriamycin(ADM)-sensitive and ADM-resistant(K562/S and K562/ADM).Results showed that clonogenic rate(CGR) decreased by 3%-99.9% in the prasence of dependent dose-ADM(3.8μg/ml) in K562/ADM cell lines,while treated with 0.5μM-6μM of VP.VP was capable of potentiating radiosensitivity in K562/S and K562/ADM cell lines,whether before or after exposure of them to electric beam radiation,and significantly reduced CGR in these kinds of cell lines(P<0.01).

Expression of Histone H2AX Phosphorylation and Its Potential to Modulate Adriamycin Resistance in K562/A02 Cell Line

DNA repair processes play a role in the development of drug resistance which represents a huge obstacle to leukemia chemotherapy. Histone H2AX phosphorylation （ser139） （γH2AX） occurs rapidly at the onset of DNA double strand break （DSB） and is critical to the regulation of DSB repair. If DNA repair is successful, cells exposed to anti-neoplastic drugs will keep entering the cycle and develop resistance to the drugs. In this study, we investigated whether γH2AX can be used as an indicator of tumor chemosensitivity and a potential target for enhancing chemotherapy. K562 and multi-drug resistant cell line K562/A02 were exposed to adriamycin （ADR） and γH2AX formed. Flow cytometry revealed that percentage of cells expressing γH2AX was increased in a dose-dependent manner and the percentage of K562/A02 cells was lower than that of K562 cells when treated with the same concentration of ADR. In order to test the potential of γH2AX to reverse drug resistance, K562/A02 cells were treated with PI3K inhibitor LY294002. It was found that LY249002 decreased ADR-induced γH2AX expression and increased the sensitivity of K562/A02 cells to ADR. Additionally, the single-cell gel electrophoresis assay and the Western blotting showed that LY249002 enhanced DSBs and decreased the expression of repair factor BRCA1. These results illustrate chemosensitivity can partly be measured by detecting γH2AX and drug resistance can be reversed by inhibiting γH2AX.

Study of the mechanism on the apoptosis induced in Human leukemia cell line K562 by the combination of indole-3-acetic acid and horseradish peroxidase

Objective To investigate the mechanisms of apoptosis induced in Human leukemia cell line K562 by the combination of indole-3-acetic acid and horseradish peroxidase.Methods Human leukemia cell line K562 were exposed to indole-3-acetic acid(IAA) at 20,40,60,80 or 100mol/L and horseradish peroxidase(HRP) at 1.2g/mL for varying times.MTT assay was applied to detect the cell proliferation.Flow cytometry was performed to detect the arrest of cell cycle.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) assay was used to measure apoptosis.2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate(DCFH-DA) uptake was measured to determine free radical by confocal microscope.Content of malondiadehyde(MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) were measured by biochemical methods.Results IAA/HRP initiated growth inhibition of K562 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.Flow cytometry revealed that cell cycle arrested at G_1/G_0 after 24 hours treatment.After 72 hours treatment,apoptotic rate of 100 mol/L IAA group increased to 43.9%,which was 5 times that of control(P<0.01).Content of MDA and activity of SOD increased respectively in treatments compared with control.Meanwhile,IAA/HRP stimulated the formation of free radical,which was increased by IAA concentration-dependently.Conclusion The combination of IAA and HRP can inhibit the growth of Human leukemia cell line K562 in vitro by inducing apoptosis which is associated with the increase of free radical.The combination of IAA and HRP might be a promising chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent against human leukemia.

Reversion of Multidrug-Resistance by Proteasome Inhibitor Bortezomib in K562/DNR Cell Line

Objective：To observe the reversion of multi-drug resistance by proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in K562/DNR cell line and to analyze the possible mechanism of reversion of multidrug-resistance.Methods：MTT method was used to determine the drug resistance of K562/DNR cells and the cellular toxicity of bortezomib.K562/DNR cells were cultured for 12 hours,24 hours and 36 hours with 100 μg/ml DNR only or plus 4 μg/L bortezomib.The expressions of NF-κB,IκB and P-gp of K562/DNR were detected with Western blot method,the activity of NF-κB was tested by ELISA method and the apoptosis rate was observed in each group respectively.Results：The IC50 of DNR on cells of K562/S and K562/DNR groups were 1.16 μg/ml and 50.43 μg/mL,respectively.The drug-resistant fold was 43.47.The IC10 of PS-341 on Cell strain K562/DNR was 4 μg/L.Therefore,4 μg/L was selected as the concentration for PS-341 to reverse drug-resistance in this study.DNR induced down-regulation of IκB expression,up-regulation of NF-κB and P-gp expression.After treatment with PS-341,a proteasome inhibitor,the IκB degradation was inhibited,IκB expression increased,NF-κB and P-gp expression decreased in a time dependent manner.Compared to DNR group,the NF-κB p65 activity of DNR＋PS-341 group was decreased.Compared to corresponding DNR group,DNR induced apoptosis rate increases after addition of PS-341 in a time dependent manner.Conclusion：Proteasome inhibitor bortezomib can convert the leukemia cell drug resistance.The mechanism may be that bortezomib decreases the degradation of IκB and the expression of NF-κB and P-gp,therefore induces the apoptosis of multi-drug resistant cells.

Proteomics Study of Benzene Metabolite Hydroquinone Induced Hematotoxicity in K562 Cells

Objective Hydroquinone(HQ),one of the phenolic metabolites of benzene,is widely recognized as an important participant in benzene-induced hematotoxicity.However,there are few relevant proteomics in HQ-induced hematotoxicity and the mechanism hasn’t been fully understood yet.Methods In this study,we treated K562 cells with 40μmol/L HQ for 72 h,examined and validated protein expression changes by Label-free proteomic analysis and Parallel reaction monitoring(PRM),and performed bioinformatics analysis to identify interaction networks.Results One hundred and eighty-seven upregulated differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)and 279 downregulated DEPs were identified in HQ-exposed K562 cells,which were involved in neutrophilmediated immunity,blood microparticle,and other GO terms,as well as the lysosome,metabolic,cell cycle,and cellular senescence-related pathways.Focusing on the 23 DEGs and 5 DEPs in erythroid differentiation-related pathways,we constructed the network of protein interactions and determined 6 DEPs(STAT1,STAT3,CASP3,KIT,STAT5B,and VEGFA)as main hub proteins with the most interactions,among which STATs made a central impact and may be potential biomarkers of HQ-induced hematotoxicity.Conclusion Our work reinforced the use of proteomics and bioinformatic approaches to advance knowledge on molecular mechanisms of HQ-induced hematotoxicity at the protein level and provide a valuable basis for further clarification.

Reversal effect of bufalin on multidrug resistance in K562/VCR vincristine-resistant leukemia cell line

OBJECTIVE: To probe insights into the reversal effect of bufalin on vincristine-acquired multidrug resistance(MDR) in human leukemia cell line K562/VCR.METHODS: Proliferative inhibition rate and the reversal index(RI) of bufalin were determined by Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. The uptake of Adriamycin(ADM) in K562/VCR cells, cell cycle and apoptosis rate were determined by flow cytometry(FCM). Cell morphologic changes were observed with Wright-Giemsa staining. The expression of P-glycoprotein(P-gp), multidrug-associated protein-1(MRP1), Bcl-x L and Bax protein were measured by immunocytochemistry.RESULTS: The human leukemia multidrug resistant K562/VCR cells showed no cross-resistance to bufalin. The RIs of bufalin at concentrations of 0.0002,0.001 and 0.005 μmol/L were 4.85, 6.94 and 14.77,respectively. Preincubation of 0.001 μmol/L bufalin for 2 h could increase intracellular ADM fluorescence intensity to 28.07%(P<0.05) and down-regulate MRP1 expression simultaneously, but no remarkable effect was found on P-gp protein. Cell cycle analysis indicated increased apoptosis rate and apparent decreased G2/M phase proportion after treatment with bufalin. When exposed to 0.01μmol/L bufalin, typical morphological changes of apoptosis could be observed. Down-regulation of Bcl-x L and up-regulation of Bax expression in K562/VCR cells could be detected by immunocytochemistry.CONCLUSION: Bufalin could partly reverse the MDR of K562/VCR cells, with a possible mechanism of down-regulating MRP1 expression and activating apoptosis pathway by altering Bcl-x L/Bax ratio.

The Proteasomal Inhibitor MG132 Potentiates Apoptosis of Triptolide-Treated K562 Cells by Regulating the NF-κB Signal Pathway

OBJECTIVE To explore the anticancer mechanism of triptolide in human leukemia K562 cells,and to further determine whether the proteasomal inhibitor,MG132,can potentiate apoptosis in triptolide-treated K562 cells.METHODS Apoptosis was assessed via annexin V/PI double-labeled cytometry.The expressions of the IκBα and NF-κB/p65 proteins in K562 cells was investigated using Western blo ing.RESULTS The inhibitory rates of K562 cells treated by triptolide gradually increased in a dose-and time-dependent manner,and treatment with triptolide plus MG132 potentiated the apoptotic rate.Triptolide inhibited the degradation of the IκBα protein and the nuclear localization of NF-κB/p65 proteins induced by TNF-α,and MG132 potentiated the effect of triptolide.Triptolide plus MG132 almost completely blocked the NF-κB activation induced by TNF-α.CONCLUSION The anti-proliferative activities of triptolide and MG132 were related to the NF-κB signal pathway.

STUDY ON EFFECTS OF QUERCETIN ON PML GENE AND PROTEIN IN LEUKEMIA CELL LINES

Objective To investigate the effect of quercetin on PML gene and protein expression andlocalization in leukemia cell lines. Methods Cell morphology was assayed by Wright's stain and fluorescence stain, and PML mRNA expression by RT-PCR , PML protein localization by immuno-fluorescence. Results NB4 and HL-60 cells differentiated morphologically after treatment with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) while K562 cells did not differentiate. Typical apoptosis was found in each cell line after treatment with quercetin. Immuno-fluorescence analysis showed , after treatment with ATRA , the fusion protein disappeared in NB4 cells and PML protein relocated , while HL-60 and K562 cells had no difference from control cells. After treatment with quercetin, the fusion protein disappeared in NB4 cells, PML protein relocated, then degraded. In HL-60 cells and K562 cells, PML protein also located and then degraded . The expression of PML mRNA was not changed in all three cell lines after treatment with ATRA or quercetin. Conclusion PML plays the role of differentiation and apoptosis inducer in leukemia cells at the translational level. PML in POD plays the role of apoptosis inducer and the growth control of leukemia cells.

STUDY ON EFFECTS OF RED ORPIMENT AND ATRA ON PML GENE AND PROTEIN IN LEUKEMIA CELL LINES

Objective :To investigate PML. gene and protein expression and localization in leukemia cell lines. Methods Cell morphology was assayed by Wright’s stain and fluorescence stain, and PML mRNA expression by RT-PCR, PML protein localization by immuno-fluorescence. Results NB4 and HL-60 cells differentiated morphologically after treatment with anti-retinoic acid (ATRA ) while K562 cells did not differentiate. Typical apoptosis was found in each cell line after treatment with red orpiment. Immuno-fluorescence analysis showed, after treatment with ATRA, the fusion protein disappeared in NB4 cells and the PML protein relocated, while HL-60 and K562 cells had no difference from control cells. After treatment with red orpiment, the fusion protein disappeared in NB4 cells, then degraded, which was also seen in HL-60 cells and K562 cells. The expression of PML mRNA was not changed in all three cell lines after treatment with ATRA or red orpiment. Conclusion PML plays the role of differentiation and apoptosis inducer in leukemia cells at the translational level. PML in POD plays the role of apoptosis inducer and the growth control of leukemia cells.

Arsenic Trioxide Inhibits Proliferation in K562 Cells by Changing Cell Cycle and Survivin Expression

To study the mechanisms involved in the inhibition of chronic myeloid leukemic cells (K562) proliferation induced by arsenic trioxide (As 2O 3) and to explore the potential role of Survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis protein, in the regulation of As 2O 3 induced cell apoptosis, K562 cells were cultured with As 2O 3 of different concentrations. Cells were collected for proliferation analysis by MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression of Survivin protein and mRNA were detected by flow cytometry and RT-PCR, respectively. Our results showed that As 2O 3 (2-10 μmol/L) inhibited K562 cells growth effectively, but it did not induce cells apoptosis significantly. The percentage of K562 cells at G 2/M phase increased in proportion to As 2O 3 concentrations, and the expression of Survivin mRNA and content of Survivin protein was up-regulated accordingly. It is concluded that As 2O 3 inhibited K562 cells growth by inducing cell cycle arrest mainly at G 2/M phase. Over-expression of Survivin gene and protein might be one of the possible mechanisms contributing to K562 cells' resistance to As 2O 3-induced apoptosis.

Effect of Hydroxyapatitc Nanoparticles on K562 Cells in vitro

Stable and single-dispersed hydroxyapatite （HAP） nanoparticles were synthesized with ultrasonic-assisted method. HAP nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, XRD （X-ray diffraction） and TEM （Transmission Electron Microscopy）. The effect of HAP nanoparticles on the K562 human myelogenous leukemia cell line was investigated by MTT assay and cell count test, and the mechanism was studied through the changes of cell cycle and ultrastructure. The results showed that HAP nanoparticles inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells dramatically in vitro. HAP nanoparticles entered the cytoplasm of K562 cells and the cells were arrested at G/M phase, thus, the cells died directly.

Effect on Proliferation and Erythroid Differentiation of K562 Cells by IER3IP1-Knockdown

Objective： To investigate the effect on erythroid differentiation and proliferation of K562 cells by IER3IP1-knockdown with RNA interference targeting at IER3IP1 gene. Methods： The shRNA eukaryotic expression vectors targeting at IER3IP1 gene were designed and constructed. Inhibitory effect was detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR. The impacts on K562 cells by RNAi were studied by MTT assay, benzidine staining, light microscope and electron microscopy observation, cell cycles analysis, colony formation assay and RT-PCR. The expressions of erythroid differentiation correlated genes Gfi-lB, GPA and 7-globin were studied after being exposed to 0.2μmol/L imatinib for two days. Results： The shRNA eukaryotic expression vectors were successfully constructed. The expression of IER3IP1 gene was significantly inhibited with an inhibition efficiency of 76% （P〈0.01）. Compared with the control groups, bcr/abl mRNA level was increased in K562/shRNA-IER3IP1 group （P〈0.01）. The proliferation ability was enhanced （P〈0.01） and the proportion of cells at G0/G1 phase decreased but S phase increased （P〈0.05） in K562/shRNA-IER3IP1 group. Under electron microscopy, the amount of euchromatin increased but heterochromatin decreased. There were structural abnomalities in endocytoplasmic reticulum and clusters of vesicular. The percentage of benzidine staining positive cells and mRNA expression levels of Gfi-1B, GPA and γ-globin were all decreased after being exposed to 0.2 μmol/L STI571 for two days in K562/shRNA-IER3IP1 group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： IER3IP1-knockdown can hinder the erythroid differentiation and elevate the proliferation level of K562 cells. IER3IP1 may play a role in erythroid differentiation and proliferation of K562 cells.

Lethal Effect of Benzene Nitrogen Mustard Glucoside Derivate on K562 Cells

A new synthesized benzene nitrogen mustard was converted into glycosyl donor-trichloroacetimidate that was glycosylated with p-nitrophenol（glycosyl donors） to form β-lactosyl p-nitrobenzene under the protection of acetyl in a stereoselective manner, was prepared and evaluated for its cytotoxicity towards cultured K562 cell line. Methylthiazoy tetrazolium（MTT） assay, transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, flow cytometry（FCM） and immunohistochemistry were utilized to explore the mechanisms of how the compound arrests the growth of HCT-T cells. This new synthesed benzene nitrogen mustard glucoside derivate（BNMGD） presented a lower toxicity to normal cells, but is significantly more toxic to K562 cells compared with nitrogen mustard, meanwhile it can induce the apoptosis of K562 cells. These results indicate that the new synthesized BNMGD can inhibit the growth of K562 cells and induce the apoptosis, and its cytotoxicity towards cultured K562 cell line is much more effective than that of nitrogen mustard.

Zeylenone promotes apoptosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia-derived K562 cells by a mechanism involving Jak2 and src kinase

OBJECTIVE The present study was designed to investigate anticancer effect of zeylenone(Zey)on K562 cells derived from chronic myelogenous leukemia(CML)both in vitro and in vivo,followed by exploring the underlying mechanisms.METHODS Initially,the effects of Zey on cel viability,proliferation,and apoptosis were measured in K562 cells by MTT,soft agar assay,AO/EB staining,hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometric analysis after they were treated with Zey for indicated time,the involving signaling pathways were then investigated by JC-1,real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-q PCR),Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis.Furthermore,the in vivo anti-tumoractivity of Zey was assessed with nude xenografts and the involving mechanism was confirmed by immunohistochemical(IHC)and histopathological analysis.RESULTS We identified that Zey dose-dependently decreased cell viability,colony formation and expression of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen(PCNA),and significantly induced K562 cell apoptosis via regulating Bcl-2 family members,decreasing mitochondrial transmembrane potential,and activating caspase-3,caspase-9,and caspase-8(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Further study revealed that Zey significantly inhibited phosphorylation of Jak2 and Src and downregulated their downstream proteins,including stat3,PI3K/AKT/m TOR,and ERK1/2 signaling pathways(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Zey also suppressed tumor growth with low toxicity in mouse xenograft model of K562cells through decreasing expression of Jak2 and Src.CONCLUSION Our data demonstrated that Zey substantially suppressed K562 cells both in vitro and in vivo through Jak2 and Src pathways.These findings suggest the potential of Zey as an effective anticancer agent in CML treatment.

Suppression of Amino Acid Transporter LAT3 Expression on Proliferation of K562 Cells

The activity of the mTOR pathway is frequently increased in acute myeloid leukemia, and is tightly related with cellular proliferation. Leucine is tightly linked to the mTOR pathway and can acti- vate it, thereby stimulating cellular proliferation. LAT3 is a major transporter for leucine, and suppres- sion of its expression can reduce cell proliferation. Here, we show that suppression of LAT3 expression can reduce proliferation of the acute leukemia cell line, K562. We investigated the mRNA and protein expression of LAT3 in several leukemia cell lines and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMNCs） using RT-PCR and Western blotting. We also evaluated cell viability using a methyl thia- zolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay after blocking LAT3 expression with either shRNA targeted to LAT3 or a small molecular inhibitor BCH （2-aminobicyclo-（2,2,1）-heptane-2-carboxylic acid）. LAT3 mRNA and protein expression was detected in leukemia cell lines, but not in normal PBMNCs. Using K562 cells, it was found that cellular proliferation and mTOR pathway activity were significantly reduced when LAT3 was blocked with either shRNA or BCH. Our results suggest that leukemia cell proliferation can be sig- nificantly suppressed by blocking LAT3. This finding may lead to a new strategy to develop clinical therapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

In vitro antileukemia activity of ZSTK474 on K562 cells

Aim Chronic myelogenous leukemia （CML） is a hematopoietic stem cell cancer caused by the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase which arises from Philadelphia chromosome （Ph） translocation. Imatinib showed potent antitumor efficacy on CML but caused resistance, therefore, other chemotherapeutic drugs for CML are expected. Phosphati-dylinositol 3-kinases （PI3Ks） are lipid kinases that preferentially phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphos- phate （PIP2） to generate phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate （PIP3） which activates the downstream Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） , and therefore play important roles in controlling signal pathways involved in cell proliferation, etc. ZSTK474, a specific PI3K inhibitor, was reported to show potent antitumor efficacy on various solid tumors, while the anti｜eukemia effect was not yet reported. Herein, the effects of ZSTK474 on K562 CML cells as well as the adriamycin-resistant human leukemia cells （K562/ADR） are reported. Methods Cell proliferation inhibition was detected by MTT assay. Cell cycle was analyzed by FACS. The expression of cell cycle related molecules like p27 and p21 was detected by western blot and qRT-PCR. Synergistic effect of ZSTK474 and Imatinib was evaluated by MTT assay and analyzed using Calcusyn. Results MTT assay showed that ZSTK474 could inhibit the proliferation of K562 and K562/ADR cells with ICs0 as 4 69 μmol · L^-1 and 7 57 μmol·L^-1 re- spectively. ZSTK474 induced cell cycle G1 arrest in the above two cell lines dose-dependently after 48 h treatment. Western blot analysis demonstrated ZSTK474 treatment decreased the level of cyclin D1 and increased the expres- sion of p27 and p21. Similar results in mRNA level were obtained by qRT-PCR assay. Combination of ZSTK474 and Imatinib indicated synergistic effect in both cell lines. Conclusion ZSTK474 exhibited anti-leukemia activity alone, and showed synergistic effect when combined with Imatinib, on CML K562 cells. These findings suggest possible application of ZSTK474 in CML treatment.

Effects of Root Extracts from <i>Panax ginseng</i>C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) of Different Ages on K562 Cells

It is well accepted in China that elder ginsengs have more bioactivity and value than younger ones. However, there is little research about the comparison of beneficial effects of ginsengs with different ages. In this study, ginseng root extracts (GRE) were extracted from ginsengs of 5, 8, 12, 14, and 16 years old, respectively, using 55% ethanol and their effects on human leukemic K562 cells within 48 hours were tested by using Cell Counting Kit-8. The results show that there are significant increases in the cell viability of all the GRE groups compared with Control group within 32 hours. Furthermore, the growth curves of GRE groups were obviously distinct from each other. The cell viability of 5-year-old and 8-year-old GRE groups kept a rapid increase while that of 16-year-old GRE group showed a strong fluctuation within 28 hours. Our results demonstrate that root extracts from ginsengs of different ages contain different bioactivity constituents and have different effects on cell.

Anti-cancer Effects of Deguelin on Human Leukemia K562 and K562/ADM Cells In Vitro

In order to investigate the anti-cancer effects of deguelin and on K562 and K562/ADM cells in vitro and the underlying molecular mechanism and compare the cytotoxicity of deguelin on K562, K562/ADM cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs）. The effects of deguelin on cell proliferation were assessed by MTT assay. Apoptosis were detected by Annexin V/PI double-labeled cytometry. The effects of deguelin on the cell cycle were studied by a propidium iodide method. Our study showed that deguelin inhibited the proliferation of K562 cell and K562/ADM cell in a time- and dose-dependent manner and had minimal effects on normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The ratio of IC50 value of deguelin of 24 h on K562/ADM cells to K562 cells was only 1.27, which was significantly lower than the ratio of IC50 value of ADM （higher than 20）. Deguelin could induce apoptosis of K562 cells and K562/ADM cells. K562 cells were arrested at G2/M phase while K562/ADM cells were arrested at G0/G~ phase. Our results suggested that deguelin was a novel anti-leukemia agents with high efficacy and low toxicity and it is also a promising agent for reversing drug resistance.