Berberine-induced apoptosis in leukemia Molt-4 cell line and expression of NF-κB/p65 and Caspase-3

[Objective] To study the inhibition effect of berberine on cell proliferation in acute T lymphocytic leukemia cell line Molt-4,and its mechanisms.[Methods] The logarithmic growing cell lines were incubated with 0,10,100 μg/ml berberine for various hours.The apoptosis induced by berberine was detected by flow cytometry,eletrophoresis and microscopy.The protein pro-Caspase-3 and p65 were determined by Western bolt assay.[Results]Treated with berberine,Molt-4 cells were found with apoptosis bodies by microscopy.By flow cytometry,it was found that number of G2/M cells was increased and number of S cells was reduced.Necrosis band was found in DNA ladder electrophoresis.The expression of pro Caspase-3 was activated partly and p65 was down-regulated in Molt-4 cells treated with berberine.[Conclusion]Berberine can induce Molt-4 cells apoptosis, and NF-κB、Caspase-3 have been shown to regulate the apoptosis programme. Key words: Berberine;  Leukemia;  Apoptosis;  NF-kappaB;  Caspase-3