The Leaf Extracts of Toona sinensis and Fermented Culture Broths of Antrodia camphorata Synergistically Cause Apoptotic Cell Death in Promyelocytic Leukemia Cells

Toona sinensisis a common edible vegetable that is used in certain Chinese dishes and has importance in folk medicine. The leaf extracts ofT sinensispossess and exhibit anticancer efficacy against various cancer cell types. In Taiwanese folklore,Antrodia camphorata, also known as Niu-Cheng-Zi, is used in traditional medicine to treat various illnesses. Its fruit and mycelium possess various potent antiproliferative properties. Two studies from our group have reported thatT sinensisorA camphoratahas the ability to cause apoptosis in various cancer cells. Conversely, underlying molecular mechanisms and any beneficial effects remain unknown. This study shows anticancer efficacy for bothT sinensisandA camphorataco-treatments that target HL-60 cells. The combination index values indicate that 40 mu g/mL ofT sinensisand 25 mu g/mL ofA camphorataas a combined treatment shows a synergetic effect, which reduces HL-60 cell proliferation. Alternately, this treatment exhibited no cytotoxic effects for human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Western blot data showed thatT sinensisandA camphorataas a combined treatment result in augmented expression of apoptosis, cytochrome c release, Bcl-2 inhibition, expression of Bax, Fas, and FasL, as well as the cleavage of Bid in HL-60 cells. Moreover, this combined treatment overshadowed monotherapy in its ability to inhibit uPAR, MMP-9, MMP-2, COX-2 expression, and PGE(2)secretions. Our study strongly implies that this combined treatment offers more beneficial effects to suppress and treat leukemia due to apoptosis-mediated cell inhibition. Furtherin vivostudies related to the combined treatment could establish its future potential.