Aloe-emodin as antiproliferative and differentiating agent on human U937 monoblastic leukemia cells

Abstract

AimsAloe-emodin (AE), a plant derived anthraquinone, has been shown to have anticancer activity in various human cancer cell lines. We have recently reported that AE possesses a differentiative potential on melanoma cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible modulation of defined markers of monocytic differentiation of AE on human U937 cell line. Main methodsU937 cells differentiation has been confirmed unequivocally by Griess and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction assays, protoporphyrin IX accumulation, expression of CD14 and CD11b surface antigens, phagocytic activity, migration and attachment ability. The effect on polyamine metabolism, apoptosis and cytokine production was also investigated. Key findingsWe showed that AE-treated U937 cells exhibit a noticeably rise in transglutaminase activity. This enhanced enzyme activity correlates with AE-induced growth arrest and differentiation to functionally mature monocytes. SignificanceTaken together, the results reported here show that AE can promote the macrophage differentiation of U937 cells, suggesting that this anthraquinone could be a potential candidate as a differentiation-inducing selective agent for therapeutic treatment of leukemia.