Quercetin induced apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells

AIM: To examine whether quercetin (Que) might induce apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells. METHODS: DNA fragmentation was visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis. Inhibition of proliferation was measured with a colorimetric MTT-assay. The DNA degradation was determined using now cytometry, and the microscopic changes were observed by an electron microscope. RESULTS: Que 15 - 120 mu mol.L-1 elicited typical apoptosis morphological changes including condensed chromatin, nuclear fragmentation, and reduction in volume. DNA fragmentation and DNA degradation in a concentration-dependent manner in HL-60 cells. Que inhibited HL-60 cell proliferation. The values of IC50 and 95 % confidence limits were 43 (30 - 61) mu mol.L-1 after 48-h treatment with Que. CONCLUSION: Que induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells.