Apoptotic Effects Of Rhus Punjabensis Stewart On HL-60 Leukemia Cells

Many of today's cancer drugs are from natural origin; thus, plant extracts represent great potential as a source of new molecules with potential therapeutic application [1]. Rhus punjabensis Stewart (Anacardiaceae) is a small tree belonging to the genus Rhus [2] and can be found in temperate and tropical regions worldwide [3]. The leaves of this plant were collected in Northern Pakistan where it is used as a medicinal plant in folk medicine to treat hepatitis and other ailments. In the screening efforts for new natural compounds with anticancer properties, we report here a study that aims to evaluate the mechanism of action for compound 4, isolated from the leaves of R. punjabensis. Compound 4 exhibited significant cytotoxic effects against HL-60 human myeloid leukemia cells with an ED₅₀ value of 1.1 µg/mL. Thus, the signaling cellular effects of compound 4 on HL-60 cells will be studied by using whole cell based assays, flow cytometry, and western blot for the analysis of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB p65 and p50), mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP), and cell cycle. Compound 4 was identified as a significantly bioactive triterpene secondary metabolite from this plant with great potential for cancer drug development.

References: [1] Atanasov A G, Waltenberger B, et al. (2015) Biotechnology Advances, 33: 1582 – 1614. [2] Kossah R, Nsabimana C, et al. (2009) Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8 (10): 1570 – 1574. [3] Rayne S and Mazza G. (2007) Foods for Human Nutrition, 62: 165 – 175.