Carnosol Delays Chemotherapy-Induced DNA Fragmentation and Morphological Changes Associated with Apoptosis in Leukemic Cells

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Researchers at the University of California have discovered that carnosol, a compound found in rosemary, can delay the effects of chemotherapy-induced DNA fragmentation and morphological changes associated with apoptosis in leukemic cells. The study, published in Nutrition and Cancer - an International Journal, found that carnosol reduced the percentage of cell death in pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) lines when combined with chemotherapeutic agents. The researchers suggest that increased dietary intake of carnosol may potentially decrease the effectiveness of some standard chemotherapy treatments used for leukemia.

Key Takeaways:

  • Carnosol, a compound found in rosemary, delays chemotherapy-induced DNA fragmentation and morphological changes associated with apoptosis in leukemic cells.
  • The study found that carnosol reduced the percentage of cell death in pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) lines when combined with chemotherapeutic agents.
  • Carnosol blocked the terminal apoptotic events induced by chemotherapeutic drugs and delayed DNA cleavage in the cells.
  • Co-treatment with carnosol and chemotherapeutic drugs did not reduce mitochondrial membrane depolarization compared to the drug treatment alone.
  • Time course analysis of caspase-3 activation by flow cytometry showed co-treatment with carnosol and drugs increased the activation of caspase-3 above that observed for the chemotherapeutic drugs alone.
  • A lower percentage of caspase-3 positive cells progressed to an apoptotic phenotype when co-treated with carnosol and the chemotherapeutic drugs compared to drugs alone.
  • The researchers suggest that increased dietary intake of carnosol may potentially decrease the effectiveness of some standard chemotherapy treatments used for leukemia.

Statistics:

  • 94-102 (pages in the study)
  • 1 (number of journalPublished in the study)
  • 61 (volume of the journal)
  • 2009 (year of publication)
  • 30-50% (percentage of cell death in pre-B ALL lines when combined with carnosol and chemotherapeutic agents)
  • 5-10% (percentage of caspase-3 positive cells that progressed to an apoptotic phenotype when co-treated with carnosol and chemotherapeutic drugs)

Sources:

  • Zunino, S.J. et al. (2009). Carnosol Delays Chemotherapy-Induced DNA Fragmentation and Morphological Changes Associated With Apoptosis in Leukemic Cells. Nutrition and Cancer - an International Journal, 61(1), 94-102.
  • Lawrence Erlbaum Association Inc-Taylor & Francis (Publisher's contact information for the Nutrition and Cancer - an International Journal)
  • University of California, Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Dept. of Agriculture, ARS (Contact information for S.J. Zunino)