Ginseng radix induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells and its mechanism as little relation with TNF-α production

Abstract

Ginseng radix, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae), is a medicinal plant used world-widely and has been reported to have various biological effects. To investigate the effects of Ginseng radix on HL-60 cell apoptosis, MTT assay, DNA fragmentation assay and flow cytometry were performed on HL-60 cells. Cells were treated with Ginseng radix at different concentrations <TEX>$(10^{-4},\;10^{-3}\;and\;10^{-2};\;dilution\;rate)$</TEX>. Ginseng radix significantly induced cells apoptosis with a time- and dose-dependent manner. To determine whether Ginseng radix-induced apoptosis is due to increase of tumor necrosis factor <TEX>$(TNF-{\alpha})$</TEX> secretion, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed on HL-60 cells. Unexpectedly, Ginseng radix <TEX>$(96\;{\pm}\;5\;pg/ml)$</TEX> significantly decreased the <TEX>$TNF-{\alpha}$</TEX> secretion compared with control <TEX>$(174\;{\pm}\;14\;pg/ml)$</TEX>. Furthermore, Ginseng radix with <TEX>$rIFN-{\gamma}$</TEX> synergistically increased nitric oxide production in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Taken together, our data indicate that Ginseng radix induce apoptosis on HL-60 cells without increase of <TEX>$TNF-{\alpha}$</TEX> secretion and could be used for a supplementary remedy of cancer.