The Effect of Gaillardin on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cell Line (Nalm-6)

Background: Due to increased cancer chemotherapy resistance, the use of natural compounds in cancer treatment has been considered in recent years. Inula-Oculus-Christi, is one of the high importance plants in the field of traditional medicine. It has been shown that extract of this plant has cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells. Objective: Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of Gaillardin and apoptosis induced by this extract on acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Methods: Gaillardin from Inula-Oculus-Christi plant was extracted by Traditional Medicine Research Center of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The cytotoxic effect of Gaillardin on the acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Nalm-6) and PBMC (as a normal cell line) was investigated at different doses for 24 and 48 hours. In this study, Trypan blue, MTT assay and DAPI staining were used. In addition, Annexin V/PI staining was utilized for confirming apoptosis. Results: The results of Trypan blue and MTT assay demonstrated the induction of apoptosis and reduction in proliferation of Nalm-6 cells treated by Gaillardin, showing a time and dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001). However, low sensitivity to the different concentrations of Gaillardin was observed in PBMCs. DAPI staining and Flow cytometry analysis confirmed a significantly high percentage of apoptotic cells compared with control groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, Gaillardin demonstrated cytotoxic effects on Nalm-6 cells, bu