Cytotoxic and apoptogenic effect of tea (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) root extract (TRE) and two of its steroidal saponins TS1 and TS2 on human leukemic cell lines K562 and U937 and on cells of CML and ALL patients.
Leukemia Research. 2006 April;30(4):459-68
Not only tea leaves but also tea roots contain phytochemicals with potential health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer properties of tea root extract and two specific steroidal saponins found in the tea root on human cancer cells. The study showed that the tea root extract and the two steroidal saponins induced apoptosis of leukemia cells. Consumption of the tea root extract by healthy volunteers caused an insignificant reduction in cell count.
The mitotic-arresting and apoptosis-inducing effects of diosgenyl saponins on human leukemia cell lines.
Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2004 July;27(7):1059-65
Previous studies have shown that diosgenyl saponins could induce cytotoxicity and apoptosis in human leukemia cells. The aim of this study was to investigate mechanisms of action. The researchers found that diosgenyl saponins activated some caspases (caspases are essential in cells for apoptosis, one of the main types of programmed cell death) and down-regulated anti-apoptotic proteins. Dioscin treatment of leukemia cells inhibited cell mitosis. The study concluded that diosgenyl saponins may act by inducing mitotic arrest and apoptosis. Diosgenyl saponins might be used antimitotic agents.
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