[Apoptosis-inducing Effect of 8-Bromo-7-Methoxychrysin on K562 cells].

This study was purposed to investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of 8-bromo-7-methoxychrysin (BrMChR) on leukemia K562 cells as well as the variation of caspase-3 activity and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) expression of K562 cells during the process of apoptosis. MTT assay was used to determine the inhibitory effect of BrMChR on proliferation of K562 cells. Cell apoptosis was assayed by AO/EB staining under fluorescent microscope and flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The expression level of p-Akt was measured by Western blot. The results showed that BrMChR had the inhibitory effect on proliferation of K562 cells and could induce apoptosis of these cells in dose-dependent manner, and these effects were significantly stronger than ChR. After treatment of K562 cells with 3 µmol/L ChR for 12 hours, the apoptosis rate was only 3.68%, but the apoptosis rate of K562 cells treated with 3 µmol/L BrMChR was 21.8%. In the same time, the caspase-3 activity significantly increased (p < 0.05), but the expression of p-Akt was down-regulated (p < 0.01). It is concluded that BrMChR can induce apoptosis of K562 cells and with effect stronger than chR. P-Akt may participate in the apoptosis process of K562 cells induced by BrMChR.