Allicin-Induced Apoptosis In EL4 Murine T-lymphocytes In Vitro

Garlic(Allium sativum L;Liliaceae)has played an important dietary and medicinal role throughout the history of mankind.Allicin is one of the most biologically active organics sulfur compounds(OSC)in garlic extracts,which owns powerful therapeutic effect on variety of ailments such as heart disease,cardiovascular,arthritis,pulmonary complaints,abdominal growths, diarrhea and worm infestation to name but a few.Moreover,numerous epidemiological,clinical and laboratory studies have demonstrated the role of allicin in cancer prevention.Also allicin possess higher antitumor efficacy and lower tissue toxicity.The most highlight attracts were proapoptosis effect in which several characteristic phenomena were observed:cell-cycle arrest, cytoplasmic vacuolization,DNA damage,activation of Caspases,and blebbing of cell membrance.Objective:The present study was undertaken to evaluate anti-proliferative and por-Apoptotic activities of allicin in murine T-lymphocytes(EL4)and try to determine its molecular mechanism of inducing apoptosis.Methods:Trypan blue dye exclusion method was used to determine cells concentration,the apoptotic rate and morphologic alteration of nuclei were measured by Hoechst 33258 fluorescent dye.DNA spaUation was determined using TUNEL kit.Protein expression of Bax,Bcl-2, cythrome C,Caspase-3,-12 were detected by Immunohistochemistry(IHC).Fluorescent microscope was used to determine the change of mitchrodria membrane potential(MMP).Result:Allicin is effective in inhibiting the proliferation of EL4 cells in vitro in concentration-dependent manner,induces the formation of apoptotic bodies,nuclear condensation, DNA spallation,cytochrome C release from the mitchrodria,activates the expression of Caspase-3, -12,upregulates the ratio of the heterodimer Bax-Bcl-2 and induces MMP decrease.Conclusions:Allicin may induce apioptosis in EL4 cells with a time- and concentration-dependent manner,in which the mitochnodria pathway may take a central role.