Antitumor activity and apoptosis induction in human cancer cell lines by Dionysia termeana.

Studies have demonstrated that plant extracts possess various biological effects including antitumor activity. In the present study, the antitumor activity of Dionysia termeana, a plant native to Iran, was investigated. Cytotoxic activity of the extract on tumor cell lines using MTT colorimetric assay was determined. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation analysis on sensitive cell lines was then carried out. Results obtained indicated that the highest activity of D. termeana was against K562 leukemia cell line with IC50 less than 20 microg/mL. Fifty-five percent inhibition of Jurkat cells due to exposure to D. termeana was found at 200 microg/mL of the extract. A549, a lung carcinoma cell, and Fen bladder carcinoma cell line were less affected. In flow cytometry analysis, D. termeana induced apoptosis in the K562 and Jurkat cells. In DNA fragmentation analysis the extract produced ladder formation in both cells. In conclusion, these results indicated that the extract used in this study have antitumor activity through induction of apoptosis particularly in the leukemia cell lines.