A benzophenanthridine alkaloid, chelerythrine induces apoptosis in vitro in a Dalton′s lymphoma

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chelerythrine on DL cell apoptosis in an in vitro experimental setup. Materials and Methods: For tumor model, spontaneous occurring T-cell lymphoma designated as Dalton′s lymphoma (DL) was selected. Double staining, transmission electron microscope (TEM), fluorescence microscopy, Western blotting, Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction, and DNA fragmentation assay were used to detect heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) and hsp70 expression and PKC phosphorylation, and apoptotic characteristic of DL cells. Results: Chelerythrine exposure resulted in significant morphological alteration comparable to that of apoptosis. Furthermore, it was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy, TEM analysis, and DNA fragmentation assay that 10 g/mL of chelerythrine is capable of inducing apoptosis in DL cells. The suppression in HSF1 expression and subsequent inhibition of hsp70 expression in chelerythrine-treated DL cells suggest that chelerythrine induces apoptosis in DL cells by inhibiting the expression of these cytoprotective proteins. Conclusion: Chelerythrine is capable of inducing apoptosis DL cells in vitro and therefore, it could be useful in combating tumor growth and progression.