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Apoptosis‐inducing activity of Helleborus niger in ALL and AML
Author(s) -
Jesse Patrick,
Mottke Gritt,
Eberle Jürgen,
Seifert Georg,
Henze Günter,
Prokop Aram
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.21905
Subject(s) - apoptosis , medicine , leukemia , daunorubicin , in vivo , vincristine , pharmacology , cancer research , neuroblastoma , cell culture , chemotherapy , immunology , biochemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , cyclophosphamide
Abstract Background Helleborus niger is used in the adjuvant treatment of different tumors in anthroposophical medicine. Indications include various types of brain tumors in children, as well as prostate cancer, leukemia and lymphoma. Our aim was to investigate the therapeutic effects of these extracts apart from the traditional use. Procedures : We used an aqueous whole plant extract of H. niger in different cancer and leukemia cell lines and primary cells of patients with childhood ALL and AML and identified the main mechanisms of action. Results A strong inhibition of proliferation is caused by specific apoptosis induction, which is executed via the mitochondrial pathway and caspase‐3 processing. Apoptosis could be detected in lymphoma (BJAB), leukemia (Reh, Nalm6, Sup‐B15) and melanoma (Mel‐HO) cells and overcomes a Bcl‐2‐mediated block of apoptosis. In primary cells of patients with childhood ALL and AML, which were partly poor responding to doxorubicin and daunorubicin, a strong apoptosis induction was determined. In combination with the vinca alkaloid vincristine, strong synergistic effects were detected in BJAB cells. Conclusion We demonstrate in vitro efficacy of H. niger extract in cells of hematological malignancies; these studies should encourage in vivo experiments. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:464–469. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.