ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE AND APOPTOSIS INDUCTION OF HYPTIS SUAVEOLENS (L.) SEED EXTRACTS ON JURKAT CELLS

Hyptis suaveolens seed ethanolic extract (HSEE) were investigated for their antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and apoptosis-inducing activities against Jurkat cells. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, as well as the antioxidant properties of HSEE were evaluated using the colorimetric method. Cell proliferation was assessed by alamar blue assay. Nuclear morphology changes were detected by Hoechst 33258 staining, while the DNA laddering pattern was assessed using agarose gel electrophoresis. The cell cycle distribution was assessed using flow cytometry, whereas the apoptosis-related protein changes were investigated by Western blotting analysis. HSEE exhibited radical scavenging activity in various radical systems (FRAP, DPPH, and TBARS). As indicated by DNA fragmentation and cell accumulation in the sub-G1 phase, HSEE displayed anti-proliferation and induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells. In addition, HSEE caused cell cycle arrest in Jurkat cells at the G2/M phase and triggered apoptosis through caspase-dependent pathways. After exposure to HSEE for 24 h, the level of Bcl-2 in Jurkat cells dramatically decreased, while the levels of caspase-9 and Bax significantly increased. Overall, these findings revealed that the anti-proliferative effects of HSEE involved the induction of G2/M phase arrest and the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in Jurkat cell lines.