Morinda citrifolia Leaf Induced Leukemia Cells Apoptosis and Produced Synergistic Effects with Zerumbone

Abstract

Leukemia is the most common cancer among children and the 7^th most common cancer worldwide. The vegetable Morinda citrifolia leaves was investigated and compared with Zerumbone (a known anti-leukemia compound) separately and in combination, for their apoptotic effects on murine myelomonocytic leukaemia cell line (WEHI-3B).  Zerumbone, a sesquiterpene from Zingiber zerumbet was anti-cancer via suppressing free radical generation, inflammation, cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, anti-apoptosis, NF-κβ, Iκβα kinase activation and invasion. The Morinda leaf extract (standardized to the coumarin scopoletin and the flavonoid epicatechin) dose-dependently inhibited WEHI-3B cells proliferation with an IC₅₀ of 17.1±0.1 μg/ml after 72 h incubations. Comparatively, the leaf extract alone and in combination with Zerumbone significantly suppressed WEHI-3B cells with an IC₅₀ of 11.0 and 9.4 μg/ml, respectively. The extract arrested leukemia cells at the G0/G1 phase, and induced apoptosis via the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-8 (death receptor extrinsic pathway). Zerumbone arrested WEHI-3B cell cycle at the G2/M phase and induced apoptosis via the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 (intrinsic pathway). When combined, the Zerumbone and Morinda leaf extract indicated synergistic anti-leukemia effects via both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, and showed no toxicity to normal cells. Dietary vegetable complementary therapy help support the primary cancer treatments. 

Keywords: Morinda citrifolia, Zerumbone, synergy, leukemia, apoptosis

Cite this Article

Ahmadi N, Rahman HS, Rosli R et al. Morinda citrifolia leaf-induced leukemia cells apoptosis and produced synergistic effects with Zerumbone. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Life Sciences. 2016; 6(3): 24–32p.