Salvianolic Acid A Induces Cell Apoptosis And Suppresses Tumor Growth In Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background: Salvianolic acid A(SAA),the main derivative of Salvia miltiorrhiza,has demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic activities.The anti-cancer efficacy of SAA remained to be evaluated,particularly in aggressive hematologic malignances including acute myeloid leukemia(AML).Methods: The cell viability,cell apoptosis,and intracellular signaling in AML cell lines and/or primary cells by SAA treatment were studied using a MTS assay,flow cytometry,and western blotting,respectively.The effect of SAA on tumor growth was investigated in a xenograft mouse model implanted of THP-1 cells.Results: SAA potently reduced cell viability and induced cell apoptosis in three AML cell lines partially via the inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling in vitro,and inhibited AML tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model in vivo.A more profound pro-apoptotic effect of SAA was observed in primary leukemic cells from patients with AML rather than in bone marrow mononuclear cells from patients with benign diseases.Conclusions: The pro-apoptotic and anti-tumor properties of SAA suggested its promising therapeutic potentials for AML.