The impact of Trifolium pratense extract on apoptosis and autophagy in NALM-6 cells: implications for B-ALL...

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), a prevalent malignancy predominantly affecting children, poses challenges such as drug resistance and cytotoxicity despite available treatment methods. The persistence of these challenges underscores the necessity for innovative therapeutic approaches to enhance efficacy. Natural compounds derived from plants, recognized for their potential to inhibit cancer cell growth, have drawn attention. Trifolium pratense extract, known for its significant anticancer properties in previous studies, was the focus of this investigation. This experimental study aimed to explore the impact of T. pratense extract on apoptosis and autophagy in NALM-6 cells. The cells were exposed to varying concentrations of the extract at specific time intervals, with viability and metabolic activity assessed using Trypan blue exclusion and MTT assays. Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate apoptosis using Annexin V/PI staining and ROS production using DCFH-DA staining. Real-time PCR was used to quantify gene expression related to apoptosis, autophagy, and oxidative stress, with data analysis performed using GraphPad PRISM software. Trifolium pratense extract demonstrated the capacity to induce apoptosis, autophagy, and significantly increase ROS production in NALM-6 cells. These effects were facilitated by the upregulation of corresponding genes. The MTT assay revealed an IC50 of 231 μg/mL at 48 h, and Flow cytometry analysis showed a 51.8% increase in apoptosis in this cell line. Overall, this study emphasizes the effectiveness of T. pratense extract in inducing autophagy and apoptosis pathways in NALM-6 cells derived from B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, suggesting its potential as a candidate for further investigation as a supplement in ALL treatment.