Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Papua’s Ant Nest Plant (Myrmecodia Pendens) Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis of an Oral Malignant Burkitt Lymphoma Cell through Down Regulation of Cyclin E–CDK2 Complex

Efforts to inhibit the growth of oral Burkitt’s lymphoma cells require an effective strategy, one of that uses Papua’s ant nest plant (Myrmecodia pendens) which are natural medicinal plants. In the present study, induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of an oral Burkitt’s lymphoma cell (Raji cell)-mediated by an ethyl acetate fraction of Papua’s ant nest plant through down regulation of cyclin E-CDK2 complex was examined. For detection of cell cycle arrest was evaluated by flow-cytometer. Induction of apoptosis was detected by colorimetric assay caspase-3, -8 and -9. The level of cyclin E and CDK2 was carried out by Elisa kit. The results revealed the active fraction of the ant nest was markedly induced the cell cycle arrest in the G0-G1 phase according to increased concentration followed bythe induction of apoptosis characterized by elevated of proteolytic activity of caspase-3, -8 and -9. Cyclin E and CDK2 level was significantly decreased in cell treated with ant nest fraction. These results suggest the ethyl acetate fraction of the ant nest plant had a strong potential antitumor activity of oral malignant Burkitt’s lymphoma cell proofed by the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through down regulation of cyclin E-CDK2 complex.