Apoptosis of Leukemia Cells by Ocimum basilicum Fractions Following TNF alpha Induced Activation of JNK and Caspase 3.

Leukemia, one of the major cancers, affects a large proportion of people around the world. Better treatment options for leukemia are required due to large number of side effects associated with current therapeutic regimens. In the present study, we sought to determine the pathway of triggering apoptosis of leukemic cells by Ocimum basilicum plant extract. <P> Materials/Methods: Methanolic extract of the plant material was prepared. Crude extract was fractionated into several fractions through column chromatography using ethyl acetate and n-hexane as eluting solvents. Cell viability of leukemic cells was assessed via Cell titer GLO assay and apoptosis was measured through Annexin V/PI staining. Major Apoptotic markers JNK and Caspases were analyzed through western blotting while pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, CCL2 and CXCL8 using qPCR. Fractions were characterized through LC-MS. <P> Results: The most potent with lowest IC50 values among the fractions were B2 and B3. Cytotoxicity was associated with apoptosis. Apoptosis was found caspase dependent and P-JNK activation was detected sustained. Significant increase in the level of TNF α and decrease in the level of CXCL8 was observed in B2 and B3 fractions treated cells. <P> Conclusion: The fractions of O. basilicum extract were found to kill cells following JNK pathway activation. The excellent results were obtained with B2 and B3 fractions probably due to predominantly Epicatechin and Cinnamic acid derivatives in these fractions.