Resveratrol-Induced Modulation of Key Genes and DNA Fragmentation in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene, which drives the uncontrolled proliferation of myeloid cells. Despite advancements in treatment, resistance to conventional therapies remains a significant challenge. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, has garnered attention for its potential therapeutic properties, including its ability to modulate key genes and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. This study investigated the effects of resveratrol on apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and DNA fragmentation in CML cells.

K562 CML cells were treated with resveratrol, and their effects were analyzed through CCK-8 assay for cell viability, TUNEL assay for DNA fragmentation, and real-time PCR for gene expression. Key apoptotic genes (BCL-2, AIF, BAX) were assessed alongside survival-related genes (CASP3, PGC1α, Cyclin-D1, p53) to evaluate resveratrol's anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic potential.

Resveratrol exhibited a time-dependent reduction in K562 cell viability, with IC₅₀ values decreasing from 282.2 µM at 24 hours to 107.1 µM and 102.4 µM at 48 and 72 hours, respectively. Apoptotic activity, assessed via the TUNEL assay, revealed significant DNA fragmentation in 55 ± 5% of treated cells, while control cells showed no fragmentation. Gene expression analysis demonstrated upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes, including BCL-2, AIF (p < 0.05), BAX (p < 0.01), and VDAC1 (4.5-fold, p < 0.001). Conversely, genes linked to cell survival and metabolism, such as CASP3, PGC1α, NDUFA9, Cyclin-D1, and p53, were slightly downregulated (p < 0.05), highlighting resveratrol's dual role in promoting apoptosis and inhibiting cell survival.

These findings suggest that resveratrol exerts anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in CML cells by modulating key genes and induction of DNA fragmentation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for CML treatment.