Effects of (Osha) Root Extract on Human Promyelocytic Leukemia Cells.

BACKGROUND

roots have been traditionally used in folk medicine, but the scientific basis is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of root extract on human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells and HO-induced oxidative damaged HL-60 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HL-60 cells were incubated with different concentrations of root extract, and cells were harvested for viability assays on day 3 and 7. Cytokine levels (interferon-gamma [IFN-γ], interleukin-2 [IL-2], and interleukin-10 [IL-10]) and antioxidant indexes (malondialdehyde [MDA], reduced glutathione [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and catalase [CAT]) in HO-induced-stressed HL-60 were measured after 2 days.

RESULTS

The viability of HL-60 challenged with HO declined by 42% compared to unstressed cells. After 7 days of incubation with 200 or 400 μg/mL , the viability of HL-60 cells was two-fold higher than the control. Stressed HL-60 cells treated with 100, 200, and 400 μg/mL reduced the lipid peroxidation by 12%-13%. We noted an increase in GSH levels, SOD and CAT activities in stressed HL-60 supplemented with 400 μg/mL root extract. Treatment with 400 μg/mL significantly ( < 0.05) increased IFN-γ and IL-2 in HO-challenged cells.

CONCLUSION

Our data do not support the use of the extract as an antiproliferation and differentiation therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia. The protective function of root extract against oxidative stress could occur through increasing GSH and higher expression of antioxidant enzymes.

SUMMARY

Findings from this study may not support the use of root extract as an antiproliferation and differentiation therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemiaOur data suggest that root extract may be a potential antioxidant with protective effect against the oxidation of reduced glutathione (GSH)Treatment with root extract may be effective in preventing oxidative damage through increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase [CAT]) in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells.