In vivo and in vitro anti-tumor effects of elemene on human leukemia cell line K562

Objective: To explore the inhibitory effects of elemene on human chronic myelocytic leukemia cell line K562 in vitro and in vivo.Methods: K562 cells were incubated with different concentrations of elemene.The growth of K562 cells were observed with CCK-8 colorimetric assay,apoptosis rates were detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining,analysis of nuclear morphology were observed with DAPI staining,And its in vivo anti-tumor effect on transplanted K562 cells in SCID Beige mice was detected as well.Results: K562 cells viability in presence of elemene decreased markedly in a dose and time dependent manner.The apoptosis could be induced by elemene and its level increased followed the augmentation of the drug concentration.The characteristic apoptosis nuclei were observed in DAPI staining after elemene treatment.Elemene had a great ability to inhibit the growth of K562 cells in SCID Beige mice.Conclusion: Elemene can significantly inhibit the growth of K562 cells,its function is mainly performed by inducing apoptosis.