Ethanolic Rhizome Extract from Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex. Baker Induces Apoptosis in HL-60 Cells

Abstract

Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex. Baker is a Thai herb containing many flavonoids that have anti-inflammatory,anti-allergic and antioxidant activities. The objective of this study was to demonstrate apoptotic effects ofKaempferia parviflora Wall. ex. Baker rhizome ethanolic extract on HL-60 cells in vitro. The extract suppressedHL-60 cell growth and decreased cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Apoptotic cell death wasdemonstrated by changes in cell morphology, externalization of phosphatidylserine on the cell surface, loss inmitochondrial transmembrane potential and activation of caspase 3. Apoptosis induced by K. parviflora Wall.ex. Baker rhizome ethanolic extract was enhanced by treatment with paclitaxel or doxorubicin, and inhibitorsof Akt, PI3-K and MEK.