Amaranthus spinosus L. inhibits spontaneous and dexamethasone-induced apoptosis in murine primary splenocytes

Abstract

Amaranthus spinosus L. (thorny amaranth) is traditionally selected to be an anti-diabetic herb in Taiwan. This study assessed the immuno-modulatory effects of wild A. spinosus water extract (WASWE) on spontaneous and dexamethasone (DEX)-induced apoptosis in murine primary splenocytes. The Cultured splenocytes treated with WASWE products were harvested and analyzed to assess their apoptotic status according to DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry and agarose gel electrophoresis. The results showed WASWE inhibited the spontaneous and DEX-induced apoptosis of splenocytes. Furthermore. both WASWE and its activated charcoal-treated sample administered at concentration of 1.250 mg/mL inhibited intracellular protein levels of p53 (an apoptotic inducer protein) and p80 (a form Of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor), which are involved in apoptosis. The present Study suggested the existence of a heal-labile anti-apoptotic component with high Molecular weight in WASWE.