Analysis of Cytotoxic Activity and Synergistic Effect of Curcuma Longa Extract in Combination with Prednisolone on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cell Lines

Abstract

Background: Curcuma Longa (CL) extract is a natural compound derived from the roots of Curcuma Longa. Prednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid and one of the most important pharmaceutical agents used for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Methods: We investigated the cytotoxic effect of Curcuma Longa extract and the synergistic effect of Curcuma Longa extract in combination with Prednisolone on acute lymphoblastic leukemia Nalm-6 and REH cell lines. Results: The obtained results of this research revealed that CL extract led to the death of Nalm-6 and REH cells, while Prednisolone demonstrated cytotoxic effects solely on the Nalm-6 cells. In addition, after combining CL extract and Prednisolone, the synergistic effect was observed only on Nalm-6 cells. The outcome of treatment on normal MDBK cells was the viability of most of the cells. CL extract induced apoptosis and increased expression of the Bax gene and caspase-3 activity. It also reduced Bcl-2 gene expression in Nalm-6 cells, and the aforementioned effects were amplified in the presence of prednisolone. In REH cells, CL extract induced apoptosis and increased Bax gene expression and caspase-3 activity. It also reduced expression of the Bcl-2 gene. Conclusions: In general, our findings suggest that CL extract has cytotoxic effects on acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells and it also amplifies the cytotoxic effect of prednisolone on Nalm-6 cells.