Morin exhibits leukemic cellular apoptosis through caspase pathway

Abstract

The present study investigated the possibility of apoptosis-inducing activity in human leukemia U-937 and THP-1 cells by the flavonoid morin. The treatments were evaluated by using the MTT and LDH assays; analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was evaluated by flow cytometry, cell death by apoptosis was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and by assessing the activity of caspases-3 and −6. The data indicated that the flavonoid morin has promoted a decrease in cell viability in a concentration-dependent way for both of the cancerous cell lines. An increase in the percentage of cell death caused by apoptosis was associated to a potential alteration in the mitochondrial membrane (ΔΨm) suggesting the involvement of cell death in intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Activation of caspases-3 and −6 confirmed the presence of apoptotic activity from morin. The results reinforce the antileukemic potential of flavonol morin.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Morin
• cancer
• apoptosis
• caspases
• leukemia
• vincristine

Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to the Federal University of Viçosa, the North Fluminense State University, Foundation of Minas Gerais Research (Fapemig) and Coordination of Improvement of Higher Level Personnel (Capes), for support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).