[Dihydroartemisinin Induces Apoptosis of Human Acute T Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells by Activating Oxidative Stress].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) Jurkat cell. METHODS: The effects of DHA on the proliferation of Jurkat cells and the recovery of DHA-inhibited cell viability by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) were examined by CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the cell apoptosis and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Western-blot was used to detected protein expression of DNA damage-related genes, as well as apoptosis-associated genes, respectively. RESULTS: DHA inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat cells, and shows a concentration-dependent manner(r =0.936), and NAC could partially restore the activity of DHA on cell proliferation inhibition. With the increase of drug concentration, the apoptosis rate (r =0.946) and ROS accumulation was increased (r =0.965). Western blot showed that the protein expressions of DNA damage-related gene γ-H2AX and apoptosis-related genes p53, c-Caspase3, BAX and cPARP were significantly increased, and BCL-2 protein expression was decreased. CONCLUSION: DHA can induce ROS production in Jurkat cells, which can cause DNA damage, activate the P53 apoptotic pathway, and promote apoptosis of cells.