Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of fisetin, hesperetin and vitexinon acute promyelocytic leukemia cells

Abstract

Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APL) is characterized by abnormal accumulation of immature granulocytes in the bone marrow and the blood stream. To date, there is no definitive treatment strategy. Fisetin, hesperetin and vitexin are flavanoids found in fruits and vegetables. Their anticancer properties have been studied on several cancer types. In this study, we aimed to examine the cytotoxic, cytostatic and apoptotic effects of fisetin, hesperetin and vitexin on Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia cells. Cytotoxic effects were evaluated by MTT assay while apoptotic effects of these flavonoids were examined by changes in caspase-3 activity, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and Annexin V/PI double staining. Cytostatic effects of the flavonoids were evaluated by propidium iodide staining using flow cytometry.