Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026

LPS and ATP-induced Death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 Macrophages and its Validation
Published on: May 3, 2024
Apoptosis and membrane permeabilisation induced by macranthoside B on HL-60 cells
Fuqin Guan1, Yu Shan, Xingzeng Zhao
1Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Botanical Garden, Mem. Sun Yat-sen, Nanjing, PR, China.
Abstract:
Triterpene saponins are throught to be potential anti-tumour agents in many cell types. This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic activity and mechanism of a triterpene saponin, macranthoside B (MB), isolated from Lonicera macranthoides Hand.-Mazz. (Caprifoliaceae). A cell viability assay showed that MB inhibited cell growth of a panel of six cancer cell lines, especially in human acute promyelocytic leukaemia HL-60 cells, with an IC50 value of 3.8 µmol. A hypodiploid cells assay and an annexin-V-FITC/PI double staining assay showed a significant increase of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner on HL-60 cells both 24 and 48 h after MB treatment. MB-induced apoptosis was through the caspase-mediated pathway, by activation of caspase-3. Furthermore, a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release test suggested that an MB-cholesterol interaction led to the rearrangement of the lipid bilayer and to subsequent cell membrane impairment. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that MB may exhibit cytotoxic activity against HL-60 cells by inducing apoptosis via caspase-dependent pathways and also membrane permeabilisation.
Related Concept Videos
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Apoptosis
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Autophagic Cell Death
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
Overview of Cell Death
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...

