Eudesmols Induce Apoptosis through Release of Cytochrome c in HL-60 Cells

We verified that the apoptosis activities were examined by DNA fragmentation, flow cytometric analysis with annexin V staining, activation of caspase-3, and cytochrome c release. In the result, $\alpha$- and $\beta$-eudesmol induced DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells at a concentration of $80\;{\mu}M$, respectively. Additionally, pro-apoptotic cells sorted by flow cytometry analysis were detected in HL-60 cells to 31.77 and 29.67% with $\acute{a}$- and $\beta$-eudesmol of $80\;{\mu}M$. Thus, both $\alpha$- and $\beta$-eudesmol exerted caspase-3 activation and cytochrome c release at $80\;{\mu}M$ in HL-60 cells. These results are firstly reported that the sesquiterpenes, $\alpha$- and $\beta$-eudesmol are apoptosis inducers through mitochondria-dependent caspase cascade in HL-60 cells.