Study on apoptosis of human acute T-lymphocyte leukemia cell line induced by allicin

Objective: To explore the law and role of apoptosis inducing effect of allicin on human acute T-lymphocyte leukemia cell line (6T-CEM).Methods: Terminal deoxylnucleotide transferase directed X-UTP nick and end labeling (TUNEL) assay, DNA gel electrophoresis, light microscopy and revers transcription-polymerase chair reaction (RT-PCR) were used to observe apoptosis of cells.Results: Allicin showed significant inducing effect on apoptosis of 6T-CEM cell when the concentration was 0.1 μg/ml, reaching its peak effect when the concentration was 50 μg/ml, with the apoptosis rate as 36.4%. Allicin (15 μg/ml) acted on 6T-CEM for 2 h and induced obvious cell apoptosis, the highest effect reached after 24 h of action, with the apoptosis rate as 56.9%. Actidione or actinomycin D could induce apoptosis of 6T-CEM, the allicin could not enhance their apoptosis inducing effect. Allicin could cause significant reduction of bcl-2 and bax gene expression of 6T-CEM, especially the bcl-2.Conclusion: Allicin could induce cell apoptosis of 6T-CEM with significant time and dose effect. Mechanism of the effect is through inhibiting the bcl-2 gene expression to reduce bcl-2/bax ratio.