4-Nerolidylcatechol: apoptosis by mitochondrial mechanisms with reduction in cyclin D1 at G0/G1 stage of the chronic myelogenous K562 cell line

AbstractContext: 4-Nerolidylcatechol (4-NRC) has showed antitumor potential through apoptosis. However, its apoptotic mechanisms are still unclear, especially in leukemic cells.Objectives: To evaluate the cytotoxic potential of 4-NRC and its cell death pathways in p53-null K562 leukemic cells.Materials and methods: Cytotoxicity of 4-NRC (4.17–534.5 μM) over 24 h of exposure was evaluated by MTT assay. 4-NRC-induced apoptosis in K562 cells was investigated by phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, cell cycle, sub-G1, mitochondrial evaluation, cytochrome c, cyclin D1 and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and caspase activity analysis.Results: IC50 values obtained were 11.40, 27.31, 15.93 and 15.70 μM for lymphocytes, K562, HL-60 and Jurkat cells, respectively. In K562 cells, 4-NRC (27 μM) promoted apoptosis as verified by cellular morphological changes, a significant increase in PS externalization and sub-G1 cells. Moreover, it significantly arrested the cells at the G0/G1 phase due to a...