The effects of azadirachtin; A seconder metabolite of azadirachta indica, on the proliferation of leukemia cell lines

Aim: In this study, we aimed to research the therapeutic potential of Azadirachtin in human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) deseases. Materials and Methods: In this study; MTT, Hoechst / Propidium iodide (HO/PI) painting methods, directly cell counting and Western Bloting had been used. For the effects on apoptosis; levels of APAF-1, caspase-9, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase -8, nuclear factor κB, active caspase-3, for the effects on cell cycle; levels of cyclin D1, Rb, cyclin A, cyclin B1 and p53, for the effects on tubulin formation; levels of α-tubulin and acetylated – α-tubulin proteins had been determined. Results: Azadirachtin stimulates the apoptotic pathway by increasing the levels of caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9, APAF-1, Bax, IκB-α and degreasing Bcl-2, NFκB-p105, NFκB-p50, NFκB-p65 levels. Azadirachtin has retarder / breaker effects on cell cycle by increasing the levels of p53, p21 and Rb and degreasing the levels of cyclin A, cyclin B1, cyclin D1 and PCNA levels. Azadirachtin exposes this effects on ALL and CLL cells dose dependently. Conclusions: This results shows that Azadirachtin can be a part of the treatment protocol of ALL and CLL deseases, especially can be used as a drug which is an inhibitor for the recurrenses.