Ginsenoside Rg1 induces senescence of leukemic stem cells by upregulating p16INK4a and downregulating hTERT expression

BACKGROUND Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of leukemia. This research attempted to clarify effects telomere system on ginsenoside Rg1-induced senescence LSCs. OBJECTIVES MATERIAL AND METHODS CD34+CD38- LSCs were isolated, sorted, and divided into a control group Rg1 (treated with 40 μmol/L Rg1). Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used evaluate cell proliferation, flow cytometry assess cycle The senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining CFU-Mix assay conducted measure mRNA transcription protein expression p16INK4a human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) western blot assay, respectively. RESULTS treatment significantly attenuated proliferative activity decreased index (PI) compared those (p < 0.05). It remarkably increased positive SA-β-Gal rate, suppressed formation markedly boosted effector, p16INK4a, that Such obviously reduced regulator, hTERT, CONCLUSIONS Ginsenoside through upregulating downregulating hTERT expression, both which are associated systems. present study would be beneficial for leukemia by providing promising strategy induce