Effects of Artemisia Capillaris Thunberg on Apoptosis in HeLa Cells

Lee, Hyoung Ja; Kim, Kee Hwan; Park, Jong Kun; Hwang, Eun Hee

Abstract

This study analyzes the apoptosis of HeLa cells to see if we can use the Artemisia capillaris Thunberg for the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. We used the HeLa cells to see what effects the A. capillaris Thunberg had on apoptosis of the cancer cells. We checked the cell activity, cell morphological change, DNA fragmentation, and DNA content after administering 0, 100, 500, 1000, and 2000 microgram/ml methanol, ethyl acetate, n-butanol extract of the A. capillaris Thunberg. As for the cell viability, the increase of concentration of methanol and ethyl acetate decreased the survival rate of the cell, but the phenomenon was much weakened in n-butanol extract and was not observed in aqueous extract. The higher the density of the methanol, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous extract was, the lower the survival rate of the HeLa cell was. These extracts obstructed the cell cohesion and caused the blebbing of the cell membrane and fragmentation of the nucleus, both of which are symptoms of apoptosis. Laddering-pattern DNA fragmentation was observed in the groups that were treated with the 1000 microgram/ml and 2000 microgram/ml of methanol extract. The DNA content of the cells apoptosis measured by fluorescent-activated cell sorter (FACS) increased as the density of the methanol, ethyl acetate and butanol extract increased. The result of the study shows that A. capillaris Thunberg fosters the apoptosis of HeLa cells, which suggests that the A. capillaris Thunberg has a great potential value as food additives, medicinal supplements for patients with chronic diseases, and preventive measures against cancer.