Abstract
Urtica dioica agglutinin (UDA) is a very small plant lectin with anti-prostatic activity. In this study, we investigated the effect of UDA on proliferation and apoptosis induction in human acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) cell lines. The effect of UDA on Jurkat and Raji cell proliferation was examined by MTS assay. Distribution of cell cycle phases was determined by PI staining and apoptosis was examined with annexin V/PI and western blot. Results showed UDA treatment reduced cell proliferation in cells by inducing apoptosis. PI staining was associated with a higher percentage of the cell population in sub G1. Caspase-8 and caspase-9 dependent apoptosis occurred in Jurkat cells. Generally, UDA treatment resulted in cell death in ALL cell lines and induced apoptosis in the T-ALL cell line, Jurkat, through extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. These results may be considered as a guide to working on UDA as an anti-leukemic drug in the future.
Highlights
Urtica dioica agglutinin (UDA) is an 8.5 KDa single-chain chitin-binding lectin, isolated from rhizomes of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) [1, 2]
We investigated the effect of UDA on proliferation and apoptosis induction in human acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) cell lines
UDA treatment resulted in cell death in ALL cell lines and induced apoptosis in the T-ALL cell line, Jurkat, through extrinsic and intrinsic pathways
Summary
Urtica dioica agglutinin (UDA) is an 8.5 KDa single-chain chitin-binding lectin, isolated from rhizomes of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) [1, 2]. It is the smallest plant lectin [3], with 89 amino acids including tow hevein domains [4]. UDA is a super-antigen with antiviral effect and it can activate T lymphocytes. UDA is an important anti-prostatic component of Urtica dioica that can block the EGF receptor in prostatic tissue by binding to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) cells and inhibiting proliferation [7]. Anticancer effects of Urtica dioica root extracts have been evaluated in some studies [8-10]. Methanolic extract of Urtica dioica roots has significant effects on epithelial cell proliferation in human prostate cancer [10]
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