Betulinic Acid–Doxorubicin-Drug Combination Induced Apoptotic Death via ROS Stimulation in a Relapsed AML MOLM-13 Cell Model

In this study, cell death regulation and induction in AML line from a relapsed MLL-rearranged model (MOLM-13) was investigated with doxorubin (Dox) betulinic acid (BetA), singly combination. CyQUANT Direct® Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining were used to measure the cytotoxic effects of compounds, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation measured using 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate staining. Expressions proteins genes examined by Western blot reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis, BetA (20 μM) Dox (1 indicated synergistic growth inhibitory effect on MOLM-13 cells. The combined drug caused more cells reside irreversible late apoptotic stage compared single treatments (p < 0.05). Elevation ROS may be mechanism involved since can directly disrupt mitochondrial activity. contrast, leukaemic U-937 cells, combination attenuated Dox-induced death. selectively reduced 0.05) recently reported anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein isoform p15-20-Bcl-2 our group, without affecting usually p26-Bcl-2-α. Further studies known inhibitors apoptosis are required confirm potential Dox-BetA modulate these pathways.