Inhibition of artemisinin on K562 cell proliferation

Objective: To investigate the inhibition of artemisinin on acute leukemia K562 cell proliferation. Methods: K562 cells were cultured in vitro together with a series of artemisinin concentrations. The inhibitory rate of the cellular growth was measured using MTT assay. The cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry (FCM) and Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining. The telomerase activities before and after the cell apoptosis were assayed using TRAP-PCR-ELISA. Results: Axtemisinin had a significant inhibition of the telomerase activity and the cell growth in both time- and dose-dependent manner. Artemisinin resulted in the cell apoptosis. Conclusion: Artemisinin has antiproliferation and apoptosis inducing effects on K562 cells by reducing the telomerase activity.