Sodium 1-monolinolenin isolated from Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) induces apoptosis in human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells

The exposure of human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells to sodium 1-monolinol enin (SML) which was isolated from the leaves of Italian ryegrass (Lolium m ultiflorum Lam) and identified by Mass, and H-1- and C-13-NMR, led to both growth inhibition and induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Morph ological change showing apoptotic bodies was observed in the Molt 4B cells treated with SML. The fragmentation by SML of DNA to oligonucleosomal-sized fragments, that is a characteristic of apoptosis, was observed to be both concentration- and time-dependent. These findings suggest that growth inhib ition by SML of Molt 4B cells results from the induction of apoptosis in th e cells.