Total coumarins of Hedyotis diffusa induces apoptosis of myelodysplastic syndrome SKM-1 cells by activation of caspases and inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway proteins.

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Hedyotis diffusa is an ethno-medicine used for anti-cancer treatment in the clinic of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The total coumarins of Hedyotis diffusa (TCHD) was a selected extract with observed antiproliferative activity, which has not been tested in treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Aim of the study This study aimed to evaluate the apoptosis-inducing effect of TCHD on human MDS cell line (SKM-1) and explore its action mechanism in association with caspase family and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Materials and methods The chemical constituents and total coumarins content of TCHD were determined by …