Differentiation and Apoptosis in K562 Erythroleukemia Cells Induced by Matrine

Objective: To investigate the anti tumor effect of matrine, a main composition of Sophora flavescens Ait Methods:Differentiation ofhuman erythroleukemia K562 cells was assessed by morphological changes and cytochemical stain, while the apoptosis was demonstrated by programmed cell death (PCD) assay Results: K562 cells treated with 0 1 g/L matrine were found differentiated and morphologically changed to polychromatic normoblasts and orthrochromatic normoblasts Treatment of the cells with matrine increased the percentage of benizidine positive cells from 1%～2%to 7% Cytochemical stain demonstrated that the periodict acid schiff (PAS) changed from negative to strong positive to give the positive rate of 100% Treatment of the cells with 1 0 g/L matrine for 24 hours induced distinct vacuoles and some apoptotic bodies in 30%of the cells, and apoptosis were also demonstrated by PCD Conclusion: Matrine in concentration of 0 1g/L can induce K562 cells differentiation while in concentration of 1 0g/L will induce apoptosis