Cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis induced by Equisetum hyemale extract in murine leukemia L1210 cells

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Equisetum hyemale has been used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat various diseases such as hypertension, inflammatory diseases, acute stroke, bleeding and cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-proliferative effect and the underlying mechanisms of E.hyemale extract on murine leukemia L1210 cells. Materials and methods The inhibitory effect of Ehyemale extract on L1210 cells was evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Cell cycle distribution was evaluated with flow cytometry following PI (propidium iodide) staining. Apoptotic cell death was determined by Annexin V–FITC/PI and nuclear DAPI (4′-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining. DNA damage and changes of mitochondrial membrane potential were also detected with flow cytometry analysis. Results E.hyemale extract exerted significant antiproliferative effects on L1210 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis showed that E.hyemale extract induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in L1210 cells. Phosphatidylserine exposure, chromatin condensation, DNA damage and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were observed clearly after treatment with Ehyemale extract. Conclusion The results in this study indicate that E.hyemale extract could inhibit L1210 cell proliferation through inducing G2/M arrest and cell apoptosis.