Sesamolin from sesame seed inhibits proliferation by inducing apoptosis inhuman lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells

The exposure of human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells to sesamolin, a compo nent of sesame seed led to both growth inhibition and the induction of apop tosis. Morphological change showing apoptotic bodies was observed in the ce lls treated with sesamolin. The fragmentation of DNA by sesamolin to oligon ucleosomal-sized fragments that are characteristics of apoptosis was observ ed to be concentration- and time-dependent. These findings suggest that gro wth inhibition of Molt 4B cells by sesamolin results from the induction of apoptosis in the cells.