Effect of Petroleum Ether Extract of Rhizoma Amorphophalli on Biological Characteristics of K562 Cells and Its Mechanism

Objective To investigate the role of petroleum ether extract of Rhizoma Amorphophalli (SLG) in inhibiting proliferation and promoting apoptosis and differentiation of leukemia K562 cells. Methods K562 cells were processed by SLG and PD98059 which was the ERK signaling pathway blocker. Then cell vitality was tested by MTT. Cell apoptosis rate and positive percentage of antigen expression related with differentiation were detected by flow cytometry. The protein expression levels of ERK1/2 and pERK1/2 were detected by Western blot. Results The proliferation activity of K562 was reduced by 50, 100, 200 mg/L SLG in a concentration dependent manner (r=0.9997). The apoptosis rate and positive expression rate of CD11b, CD14 and CD42b which were related with differentiation were raised by SLG, as well as the expression of pERK1/2, while PD98059 could reverse the promoting effect of SLG on apoptosis and differentiation partially. Conclusion SLG can inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis and differentiation of K562 cells through ERK signaling pathway.