Malva pseudolavatera Leaf Extract Promotes ROS Induction Leading to Apoptosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells in Vitro

Abstract

Malva pseudolavatera Webb & Berthel. is a plant from the Malvaceae family that has long been included in the human diet due to its various curative effects. Many plant leaf extracts from the various species of Malva genus have been reported to possess anti-cancer properties, however, studies on M. pseudolavatera leaves have documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects with no emphasis on their possible anti-cancer potential. The present study explores the anti-cancer properties of M. pseudolavatera leaf extract on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines in vitro and deciphers the underlying molecular mechanism. Treatment of AML cell lines with M. pseudolavatera methanolic leaf extract showed a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of proliferation and a dose-dependent increase in apoptotic hallmarks such as an increase in phosphatidylserine on the outer membrane leaflet and membrane leakage in addition to DNA fragmentation. The pro-apoptotic effect was induced by reactive oxygen species as well as an upregulation of cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), increase in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and release of cytochrome-c from the mitochondria. Major compounds of the extract included methyl linolenate, phytol, γ-sitosterol, and stigmasterol as revealed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. This study shows that M. pseudolavatera methanolic leaf extract exhibits promising anti-cancerous effects on AML cell lines.