POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF CITRUS FLAVONOIDS HESPERIDIN AND ITS AGLYCONE HESPERETIN IN LEUKEMIA CELL LINE

Abstract

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a prevalent form of leukemia, responsible for an alarming 62% of all fatalities related to leukemia globally, and the current chemotherapy treatment is known for its considerable negative impacts on patient health. This underscores the potential of the bioactive compounds found in natural products as vital adjuncts in disease management. In this context, Hesperidin (HD) and its aglycone Hesperetin (HT), polyphenols classified as flavanones, were investigated for their pro-apoptotic properties on the K562 cell line. The MTT assay revealed IC50 values of 200uM for HD and 150uM for HT, reflecting their potential in inhibiting cellular proliferation. Both compounds were found to induce programmed cell death at concentrations of 75, 100, 150, 200, and 300uM, across 24 and 48-hour time exposure. Intriguingly, HD demonstrated a more robust induction of apoptosis compared to HT at equivalent concentrations and duration of exposure, with apoptosis rates of 84% and 89% for 150uM HD at 24 and 48 hours, respectively, versus 32% and 38% for 150uM HT. These preliminary findings suggest that Hesperidin and Hesperetin may hold promise as efficacious initiators of the apoptosis pathway and could be explored as potential adjuvant therapies in the treatment of AML.