Induction of programmed cell death by Prangos uloptera, a medicinal plant.

Inhibition of the cell growth or induction of cell death is the most promising area in cancer therapy. The induction of apoptosis by dichloromethane extract of Prangos uloptera was evaluated on the McCoy cell line. This plant's roots, aerial parts and fruit have medicinal value. Cell growth inhibitory and cell cytotoxicity effects of the extract were assayed by MTT and Trypan-blue tests, respectively. Morphological changes and DNA fragmentation were also evaluated. The viability tests showed 0.49 and 0.3 mg/ml as 50% inhibition concentration and 50% cytotoxicity concentration after 24 hours of treatment, respectively. Fluorescent microscopy analysis revealed chromatin fragmentation and scanning electron microscopy showed cell shrinkage and cytoplasmic blebbing. These findings were confirmed by DNA fragmentation analysis. The results demonstrated efficient induction of apoptosis by the plant extract in moderate concentrations, but administration of higher concentrations showed that the primary manner of cell death was necrosis.