Investigating the apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects of Juniperus excelsa fractions on Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia cell line (Nalm-6)

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a hematological malignancy of lymphoid lineage. Side effects of chemotherapy drugs is a major reason for the tendency to use Herbal medicines. Previous studies on Juniperus excelsa (J.excelsa) have shown anti-cancer properties on some cancer cell lines. This study aimed to investigate the effect of three fractions of J.excelsa on acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells (Nalm-6) and normal mononuclear cells (PBMC), and find a more toxic fraction.

In this experimental study, the cytotoxic activity of these fractions in Nalm-6 was determined using Viability and MTT assay. By these tests, the more toxic fraction was selected and apoptosis was assessed and confirmed with Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining by flow cytometry. Each test was repeated at least three times. Statistical analysis was assessed by one-way ANOVA and SPSS 23.

The results showed that concentrations of 2.5 and 4 µg/ml of chloroform and etherdopetrol fractions of J.excelsa, without considerable effect on PBMC (p > 0.05), reduced significantly the cell viability and metabolic activity of Nalm-6 (p < 0.01). Also, aquae fraction had no cytotoxic effect on Nalm-6 and normal cells (p > 0.05). The more toxic fraction, which was chloroform fraction, was selected by these tests. According to the flow cytometry test, treated Nalm-6 cells with chloroform fraction demonstrated a 13-fold increase in the number of apoptotic cells compared with control (p < 0.001).

Our study showed that chloroform and etherdopetrol fractions have cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects on leukemic cells (Nalm-6) and induce apoptosis.