QUERCETIN INDUCED APOPTOSIS IN HUMAN LEUKEMIA HL-60 CELLS

AIM: To examine whether quercetin (Que) might induce apoptosis in huma n leukemia HL-60 cells. METHODS: DNA fragmentation was visualized by a garose gel electrophoresis. Inhibition of proliferation was measured w ith a colorimetric MTT-assay. The DNA degradation was determined using now cytometry, and the microscopic changes were observed by an electr on microscope. RESULTS: Que 15 - 120 mu mol.L-1 elicited typical apopt osis morphological changes including condensed chromatin, nuclear frag mentation, and reduction in volume. DNA fragmentation and DNA degradat ion in a concentration-dependent manner in HL-60 cells. Que inhibited HL-60 cell proliferation. The values of IC50 and 95 % confidence limit s were 43 (30 - 61) mu mol.L-1 after 48-h treatment with Que. CONCLUSI ON: Que induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells.