Fruit Extract from A Sechium edule Hybrid Induce Apoptosis in Leukaemic Cell Lines but not in Normal Cells

Abstract

The antiproliferative potential of a crude extract from the chayote hybrid H-837-07-GISeM® and its potential for apoptosis induction were assessed in leukaemic cell lines and normal mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs). The extract strongly inhibited the proliferation of the P388, J774, and WEHI-3 cell lines (with an IC₅₀ below 1.3 μg·mL⁻¹), reduced cell viability, and induced apoptotic body production, phosphatidylserine translocation, and DNA fragmentation. However, the extract had no effect on BM-MNCs. We postulate that these properties make the extract a good candidate for an anti-tumour agent for clinical use.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Mr. Ernesto J. Rivera Rosales for his excellent technical assistance.

FUNDING

We acknowledge financial support from the Mexico City Science and Technology Institute (ICyTDF; PICSA10-156). This study was supported in part by the Mexican Interdisciplinary Research Group on Sechium edule (GISeM in Spanish) as well as the Mexican National System for Phytogenetic Resources and the Mexican Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SINAREFI-SAGARPA in Spanish). We are indebted to CONACYT for a Master's scholarship to ASI (247169) and an undergraduate scholarship to ANA (ICyTDF; PICSA10-156). Professor Aguiñiga Sánchez acknowledges the Graduate Program in Botany of the Colegio de Postgraduados (COLPOS) in Mexico, for training received during her studies.