MONOTERPENOIDS, POTENT INDUCERS OF APOPTOSIS IN THE CELLS OF MARCHANTIA-POLYMORPHA

The cultured cells of Marchantia polymorpha suffered apoptosis when tr eated with monoterpenoids, e.g. bornyl acetate. When the apoptosis occ urred, the cultured cells of M. polymorpha produced H2O2, which takes part in a defense reaction. The inhibitors of oxidizing agents, such a s cysteine and N-acetylcysteine, had an apparent effect on monoterpeno id-induced apoptosis. These results showed that monoterpenoid-induced apoptosis occurs via the production of active oxygen species, e.g. H2O 2.