The effect of aqueous cinnamon extract on the apoptotic process in acute myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells

Abstract

Background:Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is an acute leukemia diagnosed by translocation of chromosomes 15 and 17 [T (15,17)] and aggregation of neoplastic promyelocytes which are incapable of being converted into mature cells. Today, many tend to use medicinal herbs in studies and clinical applications for treatment of cancers. Cinnamon with scientific name “cinnamomumzelanicum” is a shrub of Laurales order, lauraceae family with cinnamomum genus. It is a medicinal shrub with anti-proliferation effect on tumor cells. This study was conducted to determine the effects of aqueous cinnamon extract on HL-60 cells as a model for APL.Materials and Methods:In this in vitro experimental study, HL-60 cell line was cultured under the influence of cinnamon extract's concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 2 mg/ml in with intervals of 24, 48, and 72 h. Growth inhibition and toxic effects of cinnamon extract were evaluated through tetrazolium salt reduction. The effect of this herb on the cell cycle was studied by flow cytometry. The Hoechst stain was used to detect apoptotic cell nuclei.Results:Cinnamon extract inhibited the growth of HL-60 cells as correlated with concentration and time. After 72 h of treating HL-60 cells with 0.01 mg/l cinnamon extract, the growth of cells was inhibited by 90.1%. Cinnamon extract stopped the cell cycle in G1 phase and the Hoechst staining verified the apoptotic process in those cells.Conclusion:Considering the inhibitory property of cinnamon extract, we recommend it as a single drug or besides other medications for treating promyelocytic leukemia.

The Anti-Cancer Effect of Cinnamon Aqueous Extract: A Focus on Hematological Malignancies

“…Scientists treated mouse melanoma cells with cinnamon extract at various doses (0.3 or 0.5 mg/mL) and then evaluated the levels of pro-angiogenic molecules; RT-PCR and ELISA methods were used to detect the expression of VEGF, PDGF and TGF-b, and it was demonstrated that aqueous cinnamon extract inhibited these factors both in mRNA and in proteins ( Figure 2 ). Its activity is clinically evident, too, if we pay attention to the dimensions of the spleen and lymph nodes, which are significantly smaller in mice treated with this extract than those in untreated mice [ 56 ]. HIF-1a is a transcription factor whose activity depends on tissue oxygen levels, [ 8 , 18 ].…”

“…The administration of cinnamon extract down-regulates levels of HIF1a, conducting a reduction in the formation of new blood vessels. This evidence allows us to state that cinnamon inhibits neo-angiogenesis [ 56 ].…”

Anti-proliferative effects of Rhamnus frangula miller leaf and bark extracts on HEK293 and MCF-7 cell lines and evaluation of Bax and Bcl-2 genes expression level in MCF-7 cells

“…Moulavi et al, plant extracts was observed in the normal cell viability assays (Assadollahi et al, 2013;Shokrzadeh et al, 2009). Studies suggest that people who eat more vegetables and fruits, which are rich sources of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids and many other phytochemicals, may have a lower risk for some types of cancer (Hocman, 1989).…”

PLGA Nanoparticles Loaded with Cinnamon Extract and Coated with PVA/Poloxamer188

“…In addition to being an antioxidant [4], antifungal [5], and antibiotic agent [4], it is effective in treating diseases, such as obesity [6], Parkinson's [7], cancer, and cardiovascular disease [8]. The effectiveness of this substance on various cancer cells such as leukemia [9], prostate [10], and breast cancer [11] was evaluated.…”