Cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis induced by Equisetum hyemale extract in murine leukemia L1210 cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Equisetum hyemale has been used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat various diseases such as hypertension, inflammatory diseases, acute stroke, bleeding and cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-proliferative effect and the underlying mechanisms of E.hyemale extract on murine leukemia L1210 cells. Materials and methods: The inhibitory effect of Ehyemale extract on L1210 cells was evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Cell cycle distribution was evaluated with flow cytometry following PI (propidium iodide) staining. Apoptotic cell death was determined by Annexin V-FITC/PI and nuclear DAPI (4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining. DNA damage and changes of mitochondrial membrane potential were also detected with flow cytometry analysis. Results: E.hyemale extract exerted significant antiproliferative effects on L1210 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis showed that E.hyemale extract induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in L1210 cells. Phosphatidylserine exposure, chromatin condensation. DNA damage and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were observed clearly after treatment with Ehyemale extract. Conclusion: The results in this study indicate that E.hyemale extract could inhibit L1210 cell proliferation through inducing G2/M arrest and cell apoptosis. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.