Aloe-Emodin Influence on the Lysosomal Compartment of Hela Cells

Trybus, Wojciech; Król, Grzegorz; Trybus, Ewa; Stachurska, Anna; Kopacz- Bednarska, Anna; Król, Teodora

doi:10.22034/APJCP.2017.18.12.3273

Aloe-Emodin Influence on the Lysosomal Compartment of Hela Cells

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Cell Biology and Electron Microscopy, Institute of Biology, The Jan Kochanowski University, Świętokrzyska 15, 25-406 Kielce, Poland.

² Faculty of Management, University of Warsaw, Szturmowa 1/3, 02-678, Warsaw,, Poland.

³ Department of Immunohaematology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Marymoncka 99/103, 01-813, Poland.

10.22034/APJCP.2017.18.12.3273

Abstract

Background: Aloe-emodin belongs to the group of anthraquinones having extremely high biological activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the range of morphological and biochemical changes in HeLa cells treated with aloe-emodin, especially with regard to the lysosomal compartment. Methods: Marking of lysosomes was performed with neutral red staining for conventional light microscopy and acridine orange staining for confocal microscopy. To evaluate ctivity of lysosomal enzymes and permeability of the lysosomal membrane, spectrophotometric techniques were employed. Results: Aloe-emodin caused increased permeability of lysosomal membranes in HeLa cells, expressed inter alia by extinction of the orange color of acridine orange (lysosomal marker) and in reduction of neutral red uptake by lysosomes. These changes are accompanied by release of cathepsins from the interior of the lysosomes with a simultaneous highly significant increase in their activity in the cytoplasm. Conclusion: The results indicate that aloe-emodin can activate lysosomal pathway-dependent apoptosis in HeLa cells.

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