Induction of Apoptosis in Human B-lymphoma Cells by Citral

This study intended to evaluate anti-tumor activity of citral on human B-lymphoma cell line Ramos. Citral caused Ramos cell death in a concentration-dependent (37.5, 75 and 150 μM) as well as time dependent (3, 6 and 12 h) manner. By staining with annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI) and detecting with flow cytometer, citral induced cell death mostly in apoptotic pattern. Other types of cell death were also detected only when the cells were treated with high concentrations of citral for 6 and 12 h while apoptosis was still dominate. Normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were much more resistant than Ramos cells to apoptotic induction by citral. These results demonstrated the beneficial effect of citral which rich in Thai herbs and spices in oncology.