RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Artemisinin Induces Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 2277
OP 2280
VO 24
IS 4
A1 NARENDRA P. SINGH
A1 HENRY C. LAI
YR 2004
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/24/4/2277.abstract
AB Background: Artemisinin is a chemical compound extracted from the wormwood plant, Artemisia annua L. It has been shown to selectively kill cancer cells in vitro and retard the growth of implanted fibrosarcoma tumors in rats. In the present research, we investigated its mechanism of cytotoxicity to cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Molt-4 cells, in complete RPMI-1640 medium, were first incubated with 12 μM of human holotransferrin at 37°C in a humid atmosphere of 5% CO2 for one hour. This enhanced the iron supply to the cells. The cells were then pelleted and transferred to a complete RPMI-1640 containing 200 μM of an analog dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and incubation was started (0 h). In addition, some culture samples were treated with holotransferrin alone and some (controls) were assayed without neither holotransferrin nor DHA treatment. Cells were counted and DNA diffusion assay was used to evaluate apoptosis and necrosis in each sample at 0 h and at 1, 2, 4 and 8 h of incubation. Results: DHA treatment significantly decreased cell counts and increased the proportion of apoptosis in cancer cells compared to controls (χ2=4.5, df =1, p<0.035). Addition of holotransferrin significantly further decreased cell counts (χ2=4.5, df=1, p<0.035) and increased apoptosis (χ2=4.5, df =1, p<0.035). No necrotic cells were observed. Conclusion: This rapid induction of apoptosis in cancer cells after treatment with DHA indicates that artemisinin and its analogs may be inexpensive and effective cancer agents. Copyright© 2004 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved