THE ROLE OF THE PLANT ARTEMISIA IN SURVIVAL AND INDUCTION OF APOPTOSIS OF B CELLS IN CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA (CLL)

BACKGROUND: The cytotoxic effect of plants such as green tea and turmeric (curcumin) on B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells has been established. The plant Artemisia has been used in China for anti-cancer and anti-malaria applications. In Israel, Artemisia absinthium ("the Chiba") is used to release abdominal pain. In attempts to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of this plant in CLL cells, we prepared a decoction of Artemisia leaves and after filtration used it as an inducer of apoptosis of B CLL cells. METHODS: CLL cells were collected from 7 patients in different stages of the disease. Apoptosis was measured using an annexin based flow cytometry assay. RESULTS: First a viability test showed that 100μl/106 cells was the most effective dilution for killing up to 70% cells after 48 hours of incubation. In these conditions Artemisia induced approximately 75% apoptosis in comparison to 32% in the cultures without Artemisia. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that decoction of Artemisia absinthium is a potent inducer of in vitro apoptosis of CLL cells. Our results provide a laboratory basis for further clinical application.