Thymoquinone Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Enhances Apoptosis of HL60 Leukemia Cells through Re-Expression of JAK/STAT Negative Regulators

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), 20300 Terengganu, Malaysia.

2 Department of Haematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.

3 Pharmaceutical Technology Department, Faculty of pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia.

4 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Collage of Health sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.

5 Centralized Laboratory Management Centre, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.

Abstract

Objective: The natural compound, thymoquinone (TQ) has demonstrated potential anticancer properties in inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis in myeloid leukemia cells, breast cancer cells, and others. However, the effect mechanism of TQ on AML cells still not fully understood. In this study, the authors examined the effects of TQ on the expression of JAK/STAT-negative regulator genes SOCS-1, SOCS-3, and SHP-1, and their consequences on cell proliferation and apoptosis in HL60 leukemia cells. Methods: MTT and trypan blue exclusion tests were conducted to determine the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) and cell proliferation. FITC Annexin and Guava® reagent were used to study the cell apoptosis and examine the cell cycle phases, respectively. The expression of JAK/STAT-negative regulator genes, SOCS-1, SOCS-3, and SHP-1, was investigated using reverse transcriptase- quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Results: TQ demonstrated a potential inhibition of HL60 cell proliferation and a significant increase in apoptotic cells in dose and time-dependent manner. TQ significantly induced cycle arrest at G0-G1 phase (P < 0.001) and enhanced the re-expression of JAK/STAT-negative regulator genes. Conclusion: TQ potentially inhibited HL60 cell proliferation and significantly increased apoptosis with re-expression of JAK/STAT-negative regulator genes suggesting that TQ could be a new therapeutic candidate for leukemia therapy.
 

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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 22, Issue 3
March 2021
Pages 879-885

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History

  • Receive Date: 28 November 2020
  • Revise Date: 20 February 2021
  • Accept Date: 26 February 2021

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